Chris Woakes was annoyed by a couple of close calls from the umpires that went India’s way on the first day of the second Test.
Woakes, who is known for his accuracy, was England’s best bowler, taking 2 for 59 in 18 overs. But two of his reviews didn’t go England’s way, both were umpire’s call.
It was a pretty frustrating morning, Woakes said after the day’s play.
When you are trying hard for the team and for yourself, emotions get high. It would have been good if those decisions had gone our way; the day could have been different. We will move on. That’s cricket, he said.
Both calls involved India’s top order. The first was in the 7th over when India was 14 for no loss and Yashasvi Jaiswal was hit on the pads. The second was in the 11th over with India 21 for 1 and Karun Nair survived a similar review.
In both cases DRS showed the ball just hitting the stumps, not enough to change the on-field call by umpire Sharfuddoula.
We could have had them 30 for 3. If a couple of those early decisions had gone our way we would have been in a different position with their middle order batting against a new ball. Those decisions can go either way. It’s part of the game.
Jaiswal scored 87 and Nair 31 before India captain Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 114 to take his team to 310 for 5 at the end of the day.
Woakes said DRS has improved decision making in cricket but suggested one change.
“I need to be careful as I’ve had some decisions go my way before. DRS has been good for cricket in general. Many more correct calls are being made now.
If a batter decides to let the ball go and it still hits the stumps, I think that should be out, no matter how much it hits, he added.
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Woakes’ first wicket was between the two reviews when he got KL Rahul out. He looked up at the sky as he celebrated, thinking of his father who died last year.
He’s always on my mind. There are times when I think about him. He loved cricket and would have enjoyed this week, he said.
