Australia tempo bowling legend Glenn McGrath on Friday famous the unusual English circumstances within the ongoing India-England collection, however mentioned that the collection, together with the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has restored his confidence that Test cricket is “alive and well.”
“It’s been quite high-scoring, which is a little unusual English conditions with the Dukes cricket ball. But it hasn’t been a one-sided affair. It’s been good, solid Test cricket. It’s been enjoyable. It’s close.
“I was worried that Test cricket was struggling a bit. But after watching the Australia-India and the England-India series, I think Test cricket is alive and well, especially in those three countries.
“Obviously, they want the game to last as long as possible. I don’t mind if the pitches are a little flat, as long as there’s something in it for the bowler. And if the game’s coming right down to the wire on the fifth day, then it’s perfect, isn’t it? When we saw that last game (at Old Trafford), there was a chance of a result, but India batted well and held on. Everyone’s been interested and watching. I think they’re getting good crowds. They haven’t been slow, boring matches,” he mentioned on the MRF-Pachaiyappa’s floor right here.
Asked if India ought to ration the quantity of overs that Jasprit Bumrah bowls to permit him to play extra Tests, he mentioned: “If he’s just bowling in short spells, then the batting team know they just can get through the three or four overs and then they’re away. So, it depends a lot on the other bowlers. I’ve watched Prasidh Krishna bowl in the IPL, and I’ve always been a big fan of him. Unfortunately, he didn’t get more opportunities in Australia. But yes, you need another group of fast bowlers coming through to balance it out so that he doesn’t have to bowl long spells.”
On whether or not Bumrah ought to take into account staying away from white-ball codecs, he mentioned: “He’s so effective in one-day and T20 cricket. To limit himself to Test cricket would be a shame.”
