Chris Silverwood suggested that England’s victory over India was down to the “controlled aggression” his team showed following an emotional capitulation at Lord’s, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. The head coach also praised the in-form Joe Root for reflecting so honestly on his tactics two weeks ago, suggesting a win in Australia would make Root, now with more wins as skipper than Michael Vaughan, a “great” England captain.
At Lord’s, Jimmy Anderson had been the subject of a no-ball-rife, short-pitched spell from Jasprit Bumrah. Anderson and England took great exception to the treatment, and some choice words were exchanged in what became a heated Test match. When Bumrah proceeded to come out to bat in India’s second innings, England failed to use their ill-feeling effectively, sending a volley of short balls that the tourists’ tailenders were able to deal with. Bumrah and Shami eventually put on an unbeaten partnership of 89 as the game turned on its head.
England, therefore, will no doubt be looking to repeat the sort of cool, calculated performance they produced at Headingley in the remaining two Test matches of the series. They had mentioned openly that they were determined not to become embroiled in any more needless exchanges, as India clearly feed more productively off the emotion that charges the longest format. They will rely on their skills, rather than attempted intimidation and verbal retaliation, to get their wickets from here on in.
