Errol Fernando’s Email Note to Lorenz Pereira
Dear Lorenz,
As someone who claims to always support the underdog I was delighted that India won the final Test by 6 runs and made it 2 – 2. Perfect result. India was playing against a team that has the best ‘first five’ batsmen in the world – Duckett, Crawley, Pope, Root and Brook. No one better. By contrast Australia probably has the WORST first five – Khawaja, Konstas and three other jokers. However , the Aussies have the best quartet of bowlers in the world – Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon with Boland in the wings. No one better.
The 5 India-England Tests were totally riveting, and I couldn’t take my eyes off. High quality stuff. Captain Gill made 754 glorious runs for the series and Rahul and Pant were also glorious. England’s top 5 were good too.
Very sadly, however, the behaviour of the teams was appalling and most disappointing. India had their moments, but the English were obnoxious and disgraceful. Tuffy would have kanayed them all the way from Kandy to Matale with a kick up their rears to finish. They got away with it at home, but they won’t DARE to behave like that when they come here in a few weeks for the Ashes. Top five batsmen against top 4 bowlers. Can’t wait !! Who are the ‘underdogs’?? England, I suppose ?
Errol
Some Thoughts from Michael Roberts:
Unlike Errol, I did not watch every ball bowled. However ….
* I think he is far too dismissive of Steven Smith’s batting capacities/potential … quirky though he is.
* I feel that that both Bethell and Jamie Smith let England down with awful strokes in the last England innings — perhaps the nerve-tingling situation scrambled their brains.
* While Siraj bowled with fire and intelligence, he has always been a thug. Ever since he threatened Angelo Matthews in a match, I have marked him down as an ugly cricketer besmirching the sportsmanship that should honour an honourable game.
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