‘No Shami, no Ishant, no Ashwin’ – Michael Atherton on England’s chances of winning the Oval Test

Former England captain Michael Atherton reckoned that the pitch at the Kennington Oval for the fourth Test against India hasn’t deteriorated much. Going on the fifth day, the Brits need 291 runs to win with all their 10 wickets in hand. Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns have already taken the Three Lions off to a decent start with an unbeaten 77-run partnership for the opening wicket.

Atherton hinted that with the pitch not giving much assistance to the bowlers, England have a realistic chance of winning the game and taking a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The veteran also said that in the absence of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Ravi Ashwin, Team India have been a bit too reliant on Jasprit Bumrah in the bowling department.

It’s a good pitch: Michael Atherton

“It’s pretty flat, there’s not much happening, and then you look at the shape of India’s attack. No Shami, no Ishant, no Ashwin, they seemed very reliant in that first innings on Bumrah especially. How much will Jadeja have an influence? He may have an impact, (but) it’s a good pitch,” Atherton was quoted as saying in Sky Sports.

Former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding also echoed Atherton’s words, saying that bowlers may not get a lot of help from the pitch on Day five. The retired Caribbean speedster was also of the opinion that Ravi Ashwin could have been the apt option for India to turn to on the final day.

“I don’t really see this pitch playing too many tricks. I didn’t see the England seamers create too many problems… and the India seamers I don’t expect to do much better. And Jadeja, I don’t know. I would have preferred Ashwin if you’re talking about just the bowling,” Holding added.

After India were bowled out for 191 in 61.3 overs on the first day, the track at the KIA Oval has got better for batting. England amassed a lead of 99 runs after which India set them a target of 368 in the fourth innings to chase down. Rohit Sharma also managed to notch his maiden overseas Test century after missing out in the first three Tests of the series.