India vs England 2020-21, 3rd Test (D/N): Does India complain about green tracks? Graeme Swann urges

First Published Feb 26, 2021, 4:01 PM IST

England is having a challenging time in India for the Anthony de Mello Trophy in the ongoing four-Test series. Having taken an initial lead, the visitor finds itself 1-2 down after the third-day-night Test. However, Graeme Swann feels England should improve its gameplay even more.

Visitor England is in a sorry state after losing the third day-night Test of the Anthony de Mello Trophy within just two days at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The game saw the spinners dominate, claiming 28 wickets across three innings, as India won it by ten wickets.
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While the final Test would be played at the same venue, a similar track is expected, as England will have to dig hard to churn out a win and save the series. As England is not impressed with the rank-turners at the Indian venues, former English spinner Graeme Swann has urged his Englishmen to stop complaining and improve their gameplay.
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"Well, I hope it's a frank conversation and what they have to get away from, if they are, is to talk about the pitch. I know there are many talks back in England, a lot of people saying 'oh the pitch this, the pitch that'. The pitch is the same for both teams," Swann was seen saying on Star Sports.
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"England played well for half of this game, with the ball, but India just bowled better in the second innings. They are going to get a very similar wicket to play on next week. There are no two ways about it. England have to be better. They cannot afford to make the same mistakes. They cannot afford to hide behind accusations that the pitch is turning too much. It's nonsense," added Swann.
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Swann also brought forward India's example, as the side never complains of playing on green tracks in England. He also credited the Indians for taking up the green-track challenge and putting up a show every time it visits.
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"When India come to England, they play on green seaming decks and India don't complain about it; they try and improve. Virat Kohli worked his socks off to make sure his game could cope with Jimmy Anderson on a nibbling wicket. England will have to work their socks off to cope with Ashwin and, more importantly, Axar Patel," concluded Swann.
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