The test debut of England spinner Tom Hartley did not go as planned when he was hit hard by Indian batters on the first day of the opening test match on Thursday. This was the first time in men’s cricket that England went into a test match with only one fast bowler, Mark Wood, opting for a spin-heavy attack which included left-arm spinner Hartley.
While bowling in India’s spin-friendly conditions is a dream for many visiting spinners, it also means facing India’s adept batters who excel at playing against spin bowling.
Hartley, who had played 20 first-class matches, had contributed 23 runs in England’s first-innings total of 246.
However, it was his bowling that did not go well. Hartley faced a tough time as India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal hit his first ball in international cricket for a six over the long-on ropes. Jaiswal repeated the treatment four balls later, making it a forgettable first over in test cricket for Hartley.
Jaiswal, who scored 76 not out off 70 balls, seemed to have taken a liking to Hartley’s bowling. Commentators questioned the decision to continue with Hartley as he struggled with his deliveries.
The closest Hartley came to success was when England challenged an lbw decision against Shubman Gill, but the review showed the ball was going over the stumps, resulting in the loss of their final review.
Teammate Ben Duckett defended Hartley, stating that they back him to turn it around and that captain Ben Stokes had faith in him by giving him numerous overs to bowl.
Despite Hartley bleeding 63 runs in his nine wicketless overs, Duckett expressed confidence in his abilities and praised Stokes for giving him the opportunity to continue bowling.
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in Hyderabad; editing by Ken Ferris)
