BUMBLE AT THE TEST
IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK
THIS is our first Test for quite some time, which reminded me of the Everly Brothers reunion concert in 1983. As Phil Everly would say ‘it’s good to be back!’ Wonderful, too, to see this marvellous Trent Bridge ground so full for the start of such a big series. And what a day it was for India, too.
SWING TO WIN
THE one thing you have to remember about this ground, as India found, is there is always a bit of swing but significantly both teams wanted to bat first. A bit controversial for both to leave out spinners but clearly analysts have been at work. Since 2007, 51 Test wickets have fallen to spin at Trent Bridge at an average of 45 and 191 to seam at 26.
DOM’S GOT THE LOOK
IT IS clear Dom Sibley has used the time since the last Test to have a good look at his technique. And he needed to. When he picks his bat up now it is more open to the off-side. And his back-lift is closer to his body. It means you are not seeing too much of his right shoulder in his stance. He may have given it away after lunch but he looked far better.
ENTER THE DRAGON
I SPENT my first night back in Nottingham at one of my favourite watering holes, the Dragon. But sadly the man who spins the vinyl wasn’t there — he is still a bit uneasy about Covid. And Tuesday is usually Scalextric night but they cannot find anyone to put the track back together. Still, a good time was had by all.
OUT OF THE GAME
HERE’S a sign of the times. Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Sam Curran had not played a single first-class game all season before this Test. I had a good chat with Stuart Broad about it and he said he has just been doing a heck of a lot of bowling away from games to get mileage in his legs.
DINESH DILEMMA
OUR new boy in the commentary box, the nattily dressed Dinesh Karthik, has announced he wants my new jacket. It is a one-off made for me by Mr Tabbs of Cirencester, a quilted double-breasted number with red braid in a creamy colour. I’m wondering if I should present it to him when he goes back to Chennai.
HUNDRED CONVERT
I WAS a bit apprehensive before my commentary stints on the Hundred this year but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did two fantastic games at Headingley and I’ll be back for more.