Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has weighed in on the slower-over-rate debate after the end of the Lord’s Test. England were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate in the third Test.
Meanwhile, the former Australian spinner has offered his defence in favour of slo over-rate, saying that it helps maintain the pressure and the anxiety of the game.
Hogg’s comments came on the back of England losing key WTC points after they failed to live upto the over-rate at Lords. However, they got the result that they wanted as they won the match by 22 runs.
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We Want The Tension - Brad Hogg On Slow Over-Rate Debate
India needed 135 runs on day 5 of the Lord’s Test with six wickets remaining. The game went right down to the wire with Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja almost denying England a win. However, Siraj’s unfortunate dismissal helped England take a lead in the series. Meanwhile, Hogg has spoken in favor of slow over-rates on his YouTube channel. He said that as long as it helps maintain the tension in the game, it is good.
“When things are not going as fast, the slow over-rates there, it is okay as long as there is tension in the game. We want that tension. We want the players' character showing. As long as it has got the tension, slow over-rate is good” Hogg said.
Hogg further reflected on the Lord’s Test and pointed out the biggest turning point for India. He pointed out Rishabh Pant’s run-out just before tea and the wicket of KL Rahul just after tea in the first innings were the two biggest turning points in the game.
“India lost that match because of one moment. Pant getting run out trying to get Rahul on strike for his hundred, and then Rahul gets out after celebrating. Two wickets in ten balls after a 140-run stand. That was the turning point” Hogg said.
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Fours Losses, Five Draws For India In Manchester
India are trailing 2-1 in the series with the fourth Test starting from July 23 in Manchester. The Men in Blue have never won a Test match at Old Trafford. The team has played nine Test matches at the venue, losing four matches and managing to draw five.
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