Former England cricketer Graeme Swann brutally criticized Stuart Broad for questioning Ollie Pope’s lbw dismissal during the ongoing second Test against India. The match will take place at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot and remains tied after Day 2.
After the Indian innings ended with 445 runs, England got off to a good start. Zak Crawley (15) and Ben Duckett (133*) added 84 runs for the opening partnership. After the right-hander came out, Ollie Pope came out to bat and also played a decent hand for his team.
But his stay in the crease was interrupted by Mohammed Siraj, who set up the batsman perfectly. The fast bowler bowled 5 short balls on a trot and then bowled one that overshot the batsman. He bowled a sharp inducer that backed away from a length and Ollie Pope tried to play the flick.
The batsman was hit above the knee and umpire Joel Wilson rejected the Indian team’s strong appeal. It looked like the ball would miss at height, but Mohammed Siraj convinced captain Rohit Sharma to take the DRS.
The DRS showed three reds and the Indian team was elated. Ollie Pope played a decent innings and added 93 runs for the second wicket with Ben Duckett. The batsman finished with an innings of 39 runs off 55 balls. He looked absolutely dejected after leaving.
When Ollie Pope came out, Stuart Broad expressed his concern about the decision. He said it looked like the ball was high and shouldn’t have gone out. Taking X account of him, he stated: “It seems high for 3 reds.”
It seems expensive for 3 reds! ❌
—Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) February 16, 2024
Graeme Swann, however, did not go easy on Stuart Broad over his comments about Ollie Pope’s sacking. He made a brutal criticism of the former England pacer, stating that when the fast bowler used to get the score while he was batting, he used to think that he was not out. He answered:
“You used to cut it to slide in and not think you were out, buddy.”
You used to cut it to slide and not think you were out, buddy 😬
– Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) February 16, 2024
After Ollie Pope’s wicket, Ben Duckett puts England in a dominant position
After Ollie Pope came off, Ben Duckett took charge and ensured England finished Day 2 on a high. The batsman looked very promising from the first ball he faced and played an attacking style of cricket, taking his team off the wheel.
Ben Duckett brought up his third Test ton and put India under immense pressure. He ensured that England scored quickly and surpassed 200 runs on the scoreboard. He remained undefeated at 133 and put the team in a dominant position. On Day 2, England were 207/2 and are just 238 runs away.
England would want Ben Duckett to bat similarly to how he did on Day 2. He would be crucial for the team to end the deficit. The batsman himself would want to double his score and help his team take a lead in the first innings in Rajkot.