England vs. India: “You can’t tell us what to do!” - Tempers flair ahead of crunch final Test at The Oval
by Devesh Jaganath | by Cydias Aujard
Gambhir involved in spicy exchange with head groundsman
We have already been treated to plenty of incredible Test cricket between England and India over the last month, and with four games in the rearview mirror, it all comes down to the final Test at The Oval this weekend. You can check out our experts' insights using our cricket predictions ahead of the toss.
England are 2-1 up in the series after match four ended in a draw, meaning all the pressure is now on India to secure victory in the final match, as anything but a win will force the Men in Blue to return home with a series defeat.
Ahead of the crucial fifth Test, India began preparations early at The Oval on Tuesday, but their session was interrupted by a few fiery exchanges between head coach Gautam Gambhir and Surrey’s head groundsman Lee Fortis.
It is reported that when the Indian coaching staff walked up to view the playing strip that will be used for the upcoming match, Fortis asked them to stay away from the pitch, which was something that Gambhir took exception to.
It is understood that the India head coach told Fortis: “You can’t tell us what to do… you’re just the groundsman, nothing beyond.” Fortis is believed to have threatened to lodge a complaint against the Indian coaching team thereafter, which Gambhir responded to by saying: “You can go and report to whoever you want.”
Fortis, on the other hand, downplayed the spat, saying:
“It is quite a big game coming up. It is not my job to be happy with or not. I have never met him before today. You saw what he was like this morning. It’s OK, I am fine. We have nothing to hide.”
The heated exchanges between the Indian coaching team and Surrey groundsman have added an extra layer to the tension ahead of the final Test, which ramps up the anticipation even further from a neutral’s perspective.
Key pacemen to miss out on final Test?
Among the plethora of talking points leading up to the final Test between India and England, one key aspect is around star pace bowlers from both teams and whether they will (and should) be included in the starting 11s for the upcoming match.
For the hosts, Jofra Archer is the man in question, with the 30-year-old playing in just his first international Test series in four years following ongoing back and elbow injuries. However, he has taken nine wickets in two games.
England greats Stuart Broad and Nasser Hussain have voiced their concerns over Archer’s potential inclusion, warning the selectors that they could be running the risk of handing the fast bowler a fresh injury, which could force him to be sidelined for an even longer period than his last absence.
In the Indian camp, there are discussions around whether Jasprit Bumrah should be included in the team for the Oval Test. The world’s best pace bowler in the longest format was only slated to play three matches in this series and fulfilled that quota in Manchester.
Additionally, he was expensive and down on speed at Old Trafford, which unsurprisingly has resulted in many calling for the return of Akash Deep, who produced a stunning 10-wicket haul in the second Test of the series in Bumrah’s absence.
