Nottingham, Aug 1 (IANS) England captain Andrew Strauss was overwhelmed to see his team recover from 124 for eight in the first innings to beat India by a massive 319 runs on the fourth day of the second cricket Test at Trent Bridge here Monday.
‘There have been some outstanding performances in the two Test matches. It was a fantastic turnaround and I’m very proud on what we’ve done this week. (Tim) Bresnan was unlucky not to be playing in the first Test match and he keeps putting his credentials in place, making it harder and harder,’ said Strauss.
Bresnan scored 90 runs in the second innings as England piled up 544 in their second innings to set a world record target of 478 for India. Brensan then bowled a fiery spell picking up five for 48 to bowl out India for 158 runs
But the man of the match was local boy Stuart Broad, whose fighting 64, helped England to recover from 124/8 to 221 in the first innings. Broad, who had a match haul of eight for 76, also bagged his maiden hat-trick to bowl out India for 288 in the first innings.
Broad along with Graeme Swann (28) played stellar roles in the first innings and turned around England’s fortune with the 73-run stand.
‘I didn’t tell Swann and Broad to do anything other than play their natural games. (Ian) Bell was outstanding. To score that freely in tough conditions was outstanding. He’s in the form of his life,’ said Strauss.
The England captain also applauded his India counterpart Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who recalled Bell after the batsmen was run out in a farcical fashion while on 137. Bell was finally out for 159.
‘It was very commendable of Dhoni, he has set a great example to myself and other captains. I like to think I would have done the same in similar circumstances,’ said Strauss.
Man of the Match Stuart Broad said he was delighted to go 2-0 up in the series.
‘We’re delighted to go 2-0 up. It’s pleasing to pick up some wickets after they were harder to come by earlier in the season. I and Swann never need encouragement to have a bit of a slog. Of course I’ve now found a fuller length and it’s paid off but I tend not to look back and worry. We have a lot of depth and a lot of confidence in our unit,’ he said.
