Indian Proximity Project

England 400 all out
v India 146-1
close on Day 2

Friday 9 December 2016

Played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

Twitter @ball_sup

19 Indian Beer Ticks. They're just long days. We're getting up early to get breakfast before it starts getting manic. We're getting to the ground early to avoid the nonsense at the turnstiles. We're eating straight after the game. The Beer Hunting is way North. The hotel is wonderful, so we want to enjoy that. Only 24 hours in the day. So. Today's drink was Kingfisher Premium, from a bottle at 5%. And even that was by chance. Bit of a barney at the hotel front desk over how much our bill will be. I was in the right. And wouldn't be shifted.

After a Mince Off, a bottle of wine was sent up to our room. I rejected, as wine equals wasted Units. I requested BEER. Little to recommend it. Sweet is what my tasting notes would say.

The Cricket

Well 400 is 400. Teams win from there. But, the Indian reply sets it up. This is series cricket now. England can forget “bat them out of the game” before a 2nd Innings declaration. They'll have to leave themselves enough time to take ten. No point going to Madras two down with one to play after a draw here. Rashid, can you hear me son…..

Without Broad, you just don't feel England can run through teams. Stokes has a bit of that. But, Broad is who you need. The openers played some lofted shots at Adil. On another day, Root & Cook may have got on the end of those.

If you could concentrate (sometimes difficult in Indian stadiums) that was an absorbing day's cricket. Buttler did himself a lot of favours. He used his feet well to the spinners. Happy to just punch it to long on for a single. He got the guns out when partners were thin on the ground. Too many reverse sweeps. But, he took his main chances.

But, while on subject, I'll get on his case again. Adil needs to remember he's a batsman as well. Horrible leave.

Local  Colour

Potential Kohli day not reached due to inexplicable Century partnership between Steve Pujara & Murali Vijay. Divs hadn't read the script. Got to be Kohli day tomorrow. Strap yourselves in.

Day 1, there were a few health & safety issues in our block. A long piece of cabling was tied at ankle height around seats. Potential trip hazard. No Mad Indian Bastard had thought to untie it at any point on Day 1. So, this morning, watched by an array of stewards & security. I followed it to it's end and untangled it all. I'm not even gonna say “what goes through their heads?”

Many Indian fans are a proximity project. Put the Kohli thing to one side. They're all “I've danced with a man, who has danced with a girl, who has danced with the Prince of Wales”. They could sit peacefully in the seats I have cleared of loose cable & watch (say) Pujara bat. No point. He's got to be 80 yards away, minimum. Much better to hare off stage left near the fence. So that they can see the back of the head of a bloke, who can see the back of the head of someone who can see Ravi Shastri. Puts you 15 yards away, tops. “Did you see him Mate?”. “No, but I saw someone who could”. Proximity. Mad Bastards.

413/850