The start to the second Test match between England and West Indies was delayed, thanks to the uncertain rains. When the match finally started, the opening session was curtailed to an hour. England openers Dom Sibley and Rory Burns were making a steady progress as they kept West Indies fast bowlers with some solid defensive batting. Just as the session was coming close, Windies captain, Jason Holder, decided to bring on off-spinner Roston Chase. A move which was highly appreciated by former Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar.
The move worked like a magic as Chase took Burns out of the crease, giving Windies the breakthrough they needed. He also made an over to remember as Zak Crawly went for a duck on the first delivery after play resumed.
England’s ship hit the rock and skipper Joe Root and Sibly had to stitch a stable partnership.
Former Indian batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, who has previously praised the captaincy of Jason Holder, lauded the all-rounder once again for bringing an off-spinner on a ‘damp track’.
In the 1st session I noticed a few balls didn’t even carry to the keeper off fast bowlers indicating a lot of dampness in the pitch.
Smart move by @Jaseholder98 to bring on a spinner on such a track where the odd ball may grip and the other may go straight. #ENGvWI— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 16, 2020
“In the 1st session I noticed a few balls didn’t even carry to the keeper off fast bowlers indicating a lot of dampness in the pitch. Smart move by @Jaseholder98 to bring on a spinner on such a track where the oddball may grip and the other may go straight. #ENGvWI,” Tendulkar took to Twitter.
Tendulkar had praised Holder earlier during a conversation with former Windies legend Brian Lara. He said that Holder is one of the most underrated all-rounders in international cricket.
“Jason Holder is the most underrated all-rounder, because on the field, maybe you will look at Kemar Roach or Shannon Gabriel, but Jason Holder only when you look at the scoreboard, you realise that he has come in and taken three wickets,” Tendulkar had told Brian Lara during the chat on Master Blaster’s app ‘100 MB’.
Holder vindicated Tendulkar’s belief by picking up 6 wickets in the first innings of the first Test, which laid the foundation of West Indies’ victory in Southampton.
