In the Bazball era, scoring 400-odd runs in a day has become the norm for England.
But on a tricky Lord’s surface on Thursday, England scored at three runs an over to end the opening day of the third Test at 251 for four.
“Of course, we would have liked to be 400 for four after a day, but the surface didn’t allow that at all. I think it’s quite a slow surface. And, the Indian attack did bowl well,” Ollie Pope, who forged a 109-run stand for the third wicket with Joe Root, said.
“They held their lengths well and didn’t give us much at all. So, it’s something that we’re trying to keep developing as a team and realise when it is the right time to attack and when to try and absorb some pressure.”
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The ball turned more than England expected, but Pope admitted that the nature of the pitch did take the team by surprise.
“It was pretty clear what we wanted in a pitch, and I guess that is just some pace and carry to really bring our swing bowlers into it. We are trying to work out exactly what it was like,” he said.
“We’ll see as the game goes on if it deteriorates at all and whether it becomes more of a subcontinent-style pitch, whether that happens or not, I’m not sure…”
