Several international players, especially in recent times, have taken to playing Anil Kumble like a medium pace seam bowler -- but few, if any, have gone down the track to him consistently, with a measure of success.
The leg spinner's quick release and flat trajectory doesn't support that style of play.
You've got to marvel at a batsman -- in this case, Kevin Pietersen -- who, coming out after a light-and-rain interruption for a tricky period in play, has the nous to waltz repeatedly down to the leggie, first lofting him over long off, then over long on; on each occasion, he was to the pitch, on each, he got under the delivery, which you thought couldn't be done on a bet; each hit was clinically executed.
In between, a savage square drive off Pathan, for which he went down gracefully on his knee, brought up his 52 off just 76 deliveries -- and underlined his real danger. Like the best attacking batsmen, when Pietersen makes runs he makes them at speed; in doing so, he takes the game away from the bowling side and scatters the field, thus relieving the pressure on his partner as well.
Collingwood's role was that of a spectator at a circus, and he played that to admiration, holding on to his prized seat at the other end despite the odd problem picking up Kumble's line. And between them, they staved off India's bid to take out a quick wicket before England had settled.
To the leg spinner's credit, he fought back, increasing his pace and crucially, increasing his length as well to tie Pietersen down; despite the two lofted hits, Pietersen in the end managed just 13 off 44 balls faced off Kumble.
Munaf Patel took over from Pathan in the 45th over -- and immediately got the ball to go Irish, which is reputedly his forte. More importantly, in this spell the rookie finally pushed his speed above the 140kmph mark -- and twice in two balls, hit Collingwood's bat before it was ready for it.
And then he really hit his straps, with a 144.7kmph yorker that reversed, beat Collingwood's attempted excavation, found the toe of the bat and missed leg stump by a whisker. Finally, you knew what the hype was all about.
That over set up the contest du jour -- and it lasted just one ball. Munaf's first ball to Pietersen was the sucker punch -- a superbly disguised slower ball delivered just when the batsman must have been bracing for the really fast delivery. Pietersen, onto the front foot to drive, spotted the change down late, checked his push and Munaf, on the follow through, took one of those reflexive catches that just seem to stick. 157/4 England; Pietersen 64/108, having added 19 off 44 after the break -- which, when you consider that Pietersen in the first three overs after resumption had creamed three fours, constituted a good comeback by the bowlers.
Followed the sort of sight that does you good if you are an Indian fan -- a young quick bowler streaming in, reversing late, landing the ball well inside the blockhole and time and again, cutting the feet out from under the batsmen. The spectacle, though, was cut short by the clouds that came scudding through, forcing the umpires to offer the light which England gratefully took.
The little session lasted 15.3 overs and produced 45 runs for the loss of the well set Pietersen; with England on 163/4 in 50.3 overs after winning the toss, you had to reckon India has won the battle thus far.
The real point of interest here will be to see how Munaf goes when play resumes -- the old ball is reversing; the bowler's run up has lost its stutter; the pace is now up there with the best; and his length is immaculate.
- Also read: Day 1 - Morning session | Afternoon session
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