Pacer Akash Deep drew ire after making physical contact and offering an animated send-off as he dismissed Ben Duckett just before lunch on Day 2 of the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
Duckett, who had been playing a typically aggressive innings, attempted to scoop a delivery from the recalled pacer and edged it behind. As he began walking off after his dismissal for 43 off 38 balls, Deep placed an arm around the England batter’s shoulder and appeared to exchange a few words. Duckett, visibly unimpressed by the gesture, turned away as KL Rahul intervened and pulled Deep away to diffuse the situation.
It follows recent flashpoints between the two sides, including India captain Shubman Gill’s criticism of England’s time-wasting tactics during the third Test at Lord’s, and England’s frustration at India’s refusal to settle for a draw during last week’s rain-threatened Test at Old Trafford.
At the time of Duckett’s dismissal, England were flying high at 109 for 1, having carved into India’s modest first-innings total of 224 with aggressive strokeplay and fearless intent. Zak Crawley, who remained unbeaten at lunch on 52, continued to exemplify England’s `Bazball` philosophy under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum. His half-century included 48 runs in boundaries, underlining his dominance in the session.
Crawley and Duckett’s opening stand of 92 in less than 13 overs rattled an Indian bowling attack missing its spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. India, adhering to a workload management strategy for Bumrah, who had been rested for the final Test after three appearances, lacked bite in the early overs. The English openers took full advantage, dismantling the attack with an array of crisp drives and cuts.
Gus Atkinson had earlier starred with the ball for England, picking up a maiden five-wicket haul (5/33) as India collapsed to 224 all out. Despite the early breakthrough by Deep, the hosts maintained a commanding position heading into the post-lunch session.
England went to 50-0 in just seven overs in style when Duckett audaciously scooped an attempted Siraj yorker for six. The hosts suffered a setback before play on Friday, with paceman Chris Woakes effectively ruled out of the rest of the match after suffering a shoulder injury when diving in an attempt to prevent a boundary on Thursday.
But Atkinson, one of a trio of recalled England quicks following last week`s draw in Manchester, responded with a superb return of 5-33 in 21.4 overs after striking twice on Thursday, when he also ran out the in-form Gill. The 27-year-old`s fourth five-wicket haul in just 13 Tests was all the more creditable as this was Atkinson`s first senior match since being sidelined with hamstring trouble following a one-off Test against Zimbabwe.
(With AFP inputs)
