WOODY’S FIRE GETS DOUSED BY TWIN TONS
MARK WOOD got England off to a flyer in the third Test but India soon brought the tourists back to earth.
Wood used his supreme pace and sublime skill to find the edges of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill early on to leave India on 33-3.
But as the sun beat down in Rajkot, the pitch flattened out and Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja capitalised for India, who had won the toss and chose to bat.
Rohit made 131 after being given a reprieve on 27 when Joe Root shelled a tough chance, which would have left India on 47-4.
While Jadeja contributed a princely 110 not out on his return from a hamstring injury at his home ground as India finished an engrossing day on 326-5.
Wood, back in the side after being dropped for Jimmy Anderson for the second Test, eventually got reward for his short-ball plan by snaring Rohit (Wood celebrating with skipper Ben Stokes, top) to end the day with 3-69 while he ran out Sarfaraz Khan with a fantastic direct hit.
“Woody has good skill with the new ball, he can nip that around and swing it,” England assistant Paul Collingwood said.
“But on flat pitches, you need something, be it a leg-spinner who can turn it both ways, or extreme pace.
“They are usually things that break those partnerships and give you an edge. You want a point of difference on these types of pitches.
“I thought we pushed hard all day and we threw everything at them. We all realise that however many runs India get, we’re going to go out there pretty positively with the bat.
“If we have to chase runs on this pitch, it’s a very fast outfield and we’re good at chasing.”
The day started with captain Ben Stokes (below) being awarded his 100th Test in a behind-closeddoors presentation.
England players typically hold a team huddle on the outfield before play to commemorate landmark appearances but Stokes this week described joining the 100 Test club as “just a number”.
Collingwood was tight-lipped about what he said to Stokes before handing over the cap but thought his former Durham team-mate was touched by the sentiments expressed.
“It was a real honour to be asked to present the cap in the first place,” Collingwood said. “I’ve known Ben since he’s been a young whipper-snapper at Durham. It was great just to say a few nice words.
“It was just to applaud what he’s achieved in his career so far, it’s certainly not coming to an end – hopefully he’s got another 100 Test caps in him.
“From the team’s point of view, it was to thank him for what he’s done and just the way he pushes the boundaries all the time and fills every player and member of coaching staff with confidence.
“It’s a great moment for him, I’m sure he’ll not be overly bothered about 100 Test caps but you could see once I was speaking he was pretty emotional to receive that cap.”