Indian tail end batters have frustrated us during the four Tests: Mark Wood

It is not wrong to say that the biggest positive for India during their ongoing Test series versus England has been the performance of tail end batters. In the four Tests that have gone by, the visiting team’s bowlers have significantly stood up and rescued the team out of precarious position with the willow. If Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami put on 89 runs unbroken stand for the 10th wicket, then Shardul Thakur carried it forward in The Oval Test by scoring two vital fifties, which paved the way for 157 runs victory.

England bowlers have managed to do the bulk of hard work by removing the top-order batters of the visitors but have failed to keep the tailenders quiet. Fast bowler Mark Wood, who has returned to the squad after missing the fourth Test, admitted that it was frustrating to see the visitors’ tail-end batters performing well against testing conditions on offer.

“It is frustrating when the tailenders get runs. Obviously, we got our plans wrong at Lord’s. I feel partly responsible for that. I should be able to get the tailenders out no matter what the plans are. So, that is something I should be doing it right if I am bowling here [at Manchester],” Wood told Sony Pictures Network in the presser.

Wood further opined that taking the wickets of the top-order batters of the Indian team as early as possible in the fifth Test in Manchester is the only way to keep the tailenders relatively quiet and have a chance of winning the game. “At Headingley [third Test], I think we managed to wrap things up pretty quickly with the tailenders. The last game at The Oval…yes it was frustrating, but when you are tired bowling 30 overs and the wicket is pretty flat, it is easy for the tailenders to bat.”

We just have to focus on our plan and try to get them out: Mark Wood

The England pacer also stated that sticking to the plan is important by not allowing them to dictate their terms. “If we can try to get early wickets, and by the time the tailenders come in, we would be bowling our third, fourth, and fifth spells rather than our sixth, seventh and eighth spells. It does make a huge difference.”

“We just have to remember our plans and how to get them out. They [Indian tailenders] obviously have been working hard on their batting, so it is important to stick to our plans,” said Wood.