Former English batter and renowned commentator David Lloyd isn't pleased with the frequent interruptions caused by the Indian team during the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Edgbaston. Lloyd expressed his frustration, stating that spectators had not spent their money to 'watch the grass grow'. His comments came after Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja took two separate breaks during his innings on the second day of the match.
Lloyd was particularly critical of the delays, calling for a rule change to the International Cricket Council (ICC). He proposed that if an on-field batter is injured, a 'new batter' should be brought in to replace them to maintain the pace of the game. His remarks highlight a growing concern in some cricketing circles about the frequency and length of on-field treatments and breaks in play.
David Lloyd goes down heavily on Team India's multiple breaks
Despite the commentary box criticism, India firmly controlled the proceedings on the second day of the Test. A monumental double-century from captain Shubman Gill propelled the visitors to a massive first-innings total of 587 all out. The Indian pacers then made early inroads, reducing England to a precarious 77/3 by the close of play.
Ravindra Jadeja was also a key figure in India's success, contributing a significant 89 runs off 137 balls. However, his time at the crease was not without incident. Jadeja's on-pitch antics which reportedly included running on the protected area of the pitch, drew the ire of the English side, particularly captain Ben Stokes. These actions led to several discussions with the umpires and added a layer of tension to a day otherwise dominated by India's batting prowess.
“Only 15 minutes into the second morning, Jadeja stopped the game, had a drink and took a couple of pills, after being struck on the hand. After 40 minutes, he took another break. The umpires appear powerless. No wonder we keep losing overs. Surely, the officials should exercise their authority or have a directive from the ICC that any injury be treated off the field while a new batter comes out. Keep the game moving. Get on with it. My mates in the Eric Hollies haven’t paid £85 (around INR 9,900) to watch the grass grow," " Lloyd wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
During a heated session in the ongoing Test match, England captain Ben Stokes expressed his frustration with Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja's conduct on the pitch. Stokes repeatedly approached the umpires to complain about Jadeja allegedly running into the 'danger zone' – the protected area of the wicket that is crucial for maintaining a consistent bounce for all bowlers throughout the match. His persistent appeals highlighted England's growing concern over the preservation of the pitch.
In the commentary box, Lloyd offered a more lighthearted perspective on the matter. Acknowledging the gamesmanship involved, Lloyd remarked that he would have likely employed similar tactics to disrupt the opposition if he were in Jadeja's position.
“I was so interested watching the histrionics of Ravindra Jadeja, the experienced street fighter of this India team, during the morning session," Lloyd added. “He’s going to be bowling last on this pitch, and he obviously wants something to aim at, so nearly every other delivery in his innings of 89, he was down the pitch, banging it with his bat, scratching about with his feet. This is a very dry pitch, and it will spin big time later in the game. Well done, Ravi. I’d have done the same," he added.