Ballance annoyed with his shot selection
England batsman Gary Ballance, on a purple run of form, was annoyed with himself after getting out tamely in the fifth Test against India at The Oval, and rued missing out on another century.
England batsman Gary Ballance, on a purple run of form, was annoyed with himself after getting out tamely in the fifth Test against India at The Oval, and rued missing out on another century.
Ballance has been England's star batsman this series, and he added yet another half ton to his tally as England built a hefty lead, but he was gutted at being removed for 64, tapping the ball to Cheteshwar Pujara at silly point.
Ballance, who was removed by Ravi Ashwin, said at stumps on Saturday: "I felt good out there and I am very disappointed that I could not get the hundred today.
"I was disappointed with the way I got out and should have gone on to bat longer. But I guess that delivery bounced a bit more and I should not have played at it.
"But international sport is tough but I feel much more confident after how this summer has shaped up. I feel I can do a decent job at number three for England and kick on from the chances that I have been given so far."
England sat on 385 for seven at stumps on day two, with Joe Root nearing a century, after he and Jos Buttler saved the side from a collapse. England lost four wickets for less than 50 runs before the pair arrived.
Ballance added: "After lunch, Varun Aaron changed ends and bowled well to us. He changed the angles and came around the wicket as well as over the wicket. R Ashwin bowled well and got a couple wickets as well.
"But the way Root and Buttler counter-attacked was brilliant and that really put us in a strong position towards the end of the day.
"There was a bit of collapse and it was not ideal. But things could have been worse, it could have been 8-9 wickets but only four wickets went down
.
"The Indian bowlers might be a little disappointed. They ran in all day on a pitch that is getting flatter. The way they ran in all day was a credit to them especially their seamers.
"They hit good areas but the way Root played and counter-attacked, he could play freely as they got tired. Varun Aaron ran in all day long and he was bowling in the late 80s.
"Bhuvneshwar Kumar also touched the 80s plus, he can move the ball both ways. Ashwin is a different bowler from Ravindra Jadeja and they are both very difficult to score off. Overall, I think Indian bowling has done well."
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.