By Casey O'Connor
India’s recent win over the Poms at Lords has given our arch enemy plenty to think of as their summer tour to Australia looms large.
It is often said you cannot win a Test match in one hour but that you can certainly lose one.
In this game England learned you cannot win a Test match simply with aggression, though DK Lillee and Thommo may dispute that fact.
You can certainly lose one through mindless aggro in a red-mist session and that is a lesson the Poms know about.
India’s win was not the result of one innings or spell that turned a losing position into a winning one.
The game was won by stunning Indian performances.
There was sheer belief and refusal to give up.
It was clear the Poms underestimated India.
A miscalculation they are unlikely to repeat.
While some find Virat Kohli a bit much and he is often accused of pushing the envelope, India did not win because of ugly tactics.
They won because they had 11 potential matchwinners. England looked to have only: Joe Root and Jimmy Anderson.
There has been a change in Indian cricketers and cricket over a long period of time.
When Shami and Bumrah walked off the field at lunch on the final day, the entire Indian contingent, support staff included, were at hand in the Long Room, applauding the two.
Little did they know that they were on the verge of a victory that will reverberate around the ground for years to come.
For the Poms there is some homework to be done between now and November.
-Casey
CASEY’S TRL ROUND 24 TIPS:
Knights, Raiders, Rabbitohs, Dragons, Sharks, Storm, Sea Eagles, Panthers
