Broad: Follow-on 100 percent off limits
Fast bowler Stuart Broad has all but implored captain Alastair Cook not to enforce the follow-on, if England dismiss India for less than 369 on day four of the third Test at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
Fast bowler Stuart Broad has all but implored captain Alastair Cook not to enforce the follow-on, if England dismiss India for less than 369 on day four of the third Test at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
Tuesday saw the tourists slip to 323 for eight, after Engish had amassed a hefty 567 for nine declared on the back of big centuries from the left-handed Gary Ballance and right-handed Ian Bell.
Broad and fellow fast bowler James Anderson were at the fore of the charge, snaring three crucial wickets each. India, meanwhile, found some defiance in combative half-centuries from the in-form Ajinkya Rahane and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I've not discussed it with Cook, but if you're asking me, the follow-on is 100 percent off limits. From a seamer's point of view, you're looking at going back and bowling at opening batsmen in your 27th or 28th over," said Broad.
"So even if it's just a 30- or 40-over rest, it's pretty important. I hope the wicket will deteriorate enough that the fifth day will be pretty hard to bat on. I think it takes exceptional circumstances now to enforce the follow-on – I'll certainly be putting my hand up for us to bat again."
Spin bowler Moeen Ali complemented Anderson and Broad superbly on Tuesday, although there were elements of fortune in the removals of half-centurion Rahane and batsman Rohit Sharma.
The former slapped a weak long-hop straight to mid-on fielder Sean Terry, who was substituting for the injured Ian Bell. The latter steered an equally tame delivery to Broad at mid-off.
"Moeen picked up two freebies really, but I think that was out of the pressure he'd developed. To have a spinner who can pick you up two wickets, like Mo did today, is crucial. I hope that wicket will deteriorate, and he could be a bit of a handful on that last day. We're in a great position in this Test match," added Broad.
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