Finn's incredible journey, and the return of Sreesanth
Plays of the Day from the first day of the second Test between England and India at Trent Bridge
Andrew McGlashan at Trent Bridge
29-Jul-2011
Sreesanth almost got a little too carried away in the midst of a superb spell, coming close to appealing for a caught-and-bowled chance that had clearly bounced • Getty Images
Journey of the day
Steven Finn took five wickets last night before driving up the motorway to Trent Bridge as cover with Chris Tremlett injured. However, with no mishaps before play he was soon back in his car to rejoin Middlesex for their County Championship match against Derbyshire where he replaced Steven Crook. He duly took a wicket in his first over and ended with 3 for 51 in 14.2. It's been a productive couple of days with a few hundred miles of driving inbetween.
Steven Finn took five wickets last night before driving up the motorway to Trent Bridge as cover with Chris Tremlett injured. However, with no mishaps before play he was soon back in his car to rejoin Middlesex for their County Championship match against Derbyshire where he replaced Steven Crook. He duly took a wicket in his first over and ended with 3 for 51 in 14.2. It's been a productive couple of days with a few hundred miles of driving inbetween.
Early flashpoint of the day
It must be something about the Nottingham air that causes tensions to become frayed when these two teams meet. In 2007 jelly beans made their infamous appearance as did Sreesanth's combustible character. Despite Sreesanth being back in the team, though, he wasn't the first India bowler to lose his cool. This time it was Praveen Kumar who couldn't believe a shout for lbw against Kevin Pietersen was turned down by Marais Erasmus. Praveen stood with hands on hips - as did most of the Indians - and at the end of the over had to be moved away from the umpire by Harbhajan Singh as the situation nearly boiled over with Praveen wagging his finger. He may be hearing from the match referee.
It must be something about the Nottingham air that causes tensions to become frayed when these two teams meet. In 2007 jelly beans made their infamous appearance as did Sreesanth's combustible character. Despite Sreesanth being back in the team, though, he wasn't the first India bowler to lose his cool. This time it was Praveen Kumar who couldn't believe a shout for lbw against Kevin Pietersen was turned down by Marais Erasmus. Praveen stood with hands on hips - as did most of the Indians - and at the end of the over had to be moved away from the umpire by Harbhajan Singh as the situation nearly boiled over with Praveen wagging his finger. He may be hearing from the match referee.
Distraction of the day
Batsmen are very easily put off when taking strike. As Pietersen resumed after lunch he wasn't happy with the sighting area behind the bowler's arm at the Pavilion End. It's a mixture of windows, panels, blinds and sheets. In the middle a set of windows were uncovered and this seemed to be the problem area. It was fixed enough for Pietersen to resume but he soon edged one to third slip. Was he put off? Whatever the cause, later in the day all the windows were blocked out again.
Batsmen are very easily put off when taking strike. As Pietersen resumed after lunch he wasn't happy with the sighting area behind the bowler's arm at the Pavilion End. It's a mixture of windows, panels, blinds and sheets. In the middle a set of windows were uncovered and this seemed to be the problem area. It was fixed enough for Pietersen to resume but he soon edged one to third slip. Was he put off? Whatever the cause, later in the day all the windows were blocked out again.
Fake celebration of the day
Sreesanth was understandably pumped after removing Pietersen but he almost got a little too carried away. Ian Bell got a leading edge which flew towards Sreesanth in his follow through and he dived forward before seemingly throwing the ball up in celebration. However, none of his team-mates moved - they'd noticed it had clearly landed short - and he sheepishly returned to his mark. The antics, even if in humour, prompted regular boos from the Trent Bridge crowd whenever Sreesanth fielded the ball on the boundary. The 'character' was back.
Sreesanth was understandably pumped after removing Pietersen but he almost got a little too carried away. Ian Bell got a leading edge which flew towards Sreesanth in his follow through and he dived forward before seemingly throwing the ball up in celebration. However, none of his team-mates moved - they'd noticed it had clearly landed short - and he sheepishly returned to his mark. The antics, even if in humour, prompted regular boos from the Trent Bridge crowd whenever Sreesanth fielded the ball on the boundary. The 'character' was back.
Over of the day
In his second over of his afternoon spell Praveen knocked the stuffing out of England's top order. They had just lost Pietersen and now two more went in a hurry. Praveen drew Andrew Strauss it a loose drive after probing away wide of off stump before drawing him into the shot. Then he greeted Eoin Morgan with deliveries that moved both ways - first into the left-hander, then away - before trapping him lbw, although it was a marginal call from the umpire. Morgan even asked Asad Rauf what he'd given, in case it was a catch he could review, but was told that the decision was leg before.
In his second over of his afternoon spell Praveen knocked the stuffing out of England's top order. They had just lost Pietersen and now two more went in a hurry. Praveen drew Andrew Strauss it a loose drive after probing away wide of off stump before drawing him into the shot. Then he greeted Eoin Morgan with deliveries that moved both ways - first into the left-hander, then away - before trapping him lbw, although it was a marginal call from the umpire. Morgan even asked Asad Rauf what he'd given, in case it was a catch he could review, but was told that the decision was leg before.
Lifter of the day
Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann changed the momentum of the day with their ninth-wicket stand of 73 in 11 overs but the way it ended will have interested everyone. A delivery from Praveen spat off a good length and reared into Swann's gloves then looped to slip. Surfaces here can produce uneven bounce so this could be a sign of things to come. Of more immediate concern for England, however, was that Swann was soon on his way to hospital for an x-ray on his left hand - at least not his bowling hand. He wasn't vital to the attack on the first evening, but would be a major loss for the rest of the match.
Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann changed the momentum of the day with their ninth-wicket stand of 73 in 11 overs but the way it ended will have interested everyone. A delivery from Praveen spat off a good length and reared into Swann's gloves then looped to slip. Surfaces here can produce uneven bounce so this could be a sign of things to come. Of more immediate concern for England, however, was that Swann was soon on his way to hospital for an x-ray on his left hand - at least not his bowling hand. He wasn't vital to the attack on the first evening, but would be a major loss for the rest of the match.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo