Binny’s 78 saves first Test for India
14 July 2014 6:57 AM IST
Stuart Binny struck a match-saving 78 on his debut as India overcame some anxious moments to manage a draw in the first cricket Test against England here on Sunday. India were in deep trouble midway into the morning session as Virat Kohli (8), Ajinkya Rahane (24) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (11) were dismissed in quick succession with the visiting side 145 runs ahead and just four second innings wicket in hand. But, Binny made a mark in his maiden Test with a memorable performance as he not only pulled India out of the woods but also took his side to a lead of more than 300 runs to shut the door on England at Trent Bridge.
Binny also found an able ally in Ravindra Jadela (31) as they put on a crucial 65-run stand for the seventh wicket to keep England -- who had scored 496 all out in their first innings -- at bay.
India, however, continued to bat and declared their second innings at 391 for nine. The two sides then decided to end the match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who shared 91 runs with Binny for the eighth wicket, remained not out at 63, his second half century of the match after his first innings 58. Binny’s solid 78 off 114 balls was studded with eight fours and a six and he was out just before tea break after taking the match out of England’s reach.
Binny, who showed fantastic temperament in his debut match, looked on course for a century before Moeen Ali had him LBW with 10 minutes to go for tea. India were 347 for eight at tea break, an overall lead of 308, and by then it was clear that the match would end in a draw. The two sides now move to Lord’s in London for the second of the five-match Test series, which begins on 17 July. In the morning session, India suffered a scare as England took three wickets for 17 runs in first hour. Stuart Broad removed both overnight batsmen Kohli and Rahane in successive overs before Liam Plunkett dismissed Dhoni to send shock waves in the visiting team camp.
India found themselves at a precarious 184 for six with an overall lead of 145 and four second innings wickets in hand when Binny and Jadeja joined forces. Binny, in company of the Saurashtra all-rounder, justified his selection by doing well enough to negotiate a good spell of bowling from James Anderson and Stuart Broad, asking questions. A copybook crouching cover drive off Liam Plunkett marked his arrival and it was followed by a well balanced pull-shot behind the square and a backfoot cover drive. Even after Jadeja departed caught by Matt prior off Anderson, Binny did not do away with his positive approach as he reached his half-century with a couple of boundaries followed by two singles in 86 balls.
Once the baptism was over, Binny looked in control as he scored runs from friendly off-breaks bowled by Moeen Ali. He reverse swept him as well as hit an inside out cover drive. He also hit Ali over extra cover for a flat six as one expected him to complete a ton on debut. But Ali coming from round the wicket trapped him in front as Kumar Dharmasena raised the dreaded finger. The TV replays showed that the delivery would have missed the leg-stump.
Moeen Ali (3/105) and Broad (2/50) were the best bowlers for England, while Liam Plunkett (2/85) and James Anderson (1/47) also finished among the wickets. Ben Stokes (0/60), Joe Root (0/22) and Gary Ballance were the other bowlers used. England captain Alastair Cook also took a wicket -- that of Ishant Sharma. Brief Scores India: 457 & 391 for 9 in 123 overs (Stuart Binny 78, Cheteshwar Pujara 55, Murali Vijay 52, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 63 not out; Moeen Ali 3/105). England 1st innings: 496 all out (Joe Root 154 not out, James Anderson 81, Gary Ballance 71, Sam Robson 59, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5/82).
It was a good Test match for us: Dhoni
Calling the stalemate here a ‘good Test match’ for his team, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday singled out Stuart Binny as one who could fill in the seaming all-rounder’s slot in the near future.
‘Overall there was a lot of positives for us. We needed a partnership this morning and we got it. It was a good Test match for us, we managed to put pressure on them and then we held up well when we were under pressure,’ Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
He had no regrets about leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI.
‘I don’t regret not playing R Ashwin because there was no help for the spinner. We had good combinations and I was happy with the bowling attack. I don’t think I could have changed much when (Joe) Root and (Jimmy) Anderson were going, we tried a few things but the ball got soft and the bowlers go tired and I don’t think there was much else we could have done.’
Binny also found an able ally in Ravindra Jadela (31) as they put on a crucial 65-run stand for the seventh wicket to keep England -- who had scored 496 all out in their first innings -- at bay.
India, however, continued to bat and declared their second innings at 391 for nine. The two sides then decided to end the match. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who shared 91 runs with Binny for the eighth wicket, remained not out at 63, his second half century of the match after his first innings 58. Binny’s solid 78 off 114 balls was studded with eight fours and a six and he was out just before tea break after taking the match out of England’s reach.
Binny, who showed fantastic temperament in his debut match, looked on course for a century before Moeen Ali had him LBW with 10 minutes to go for tea. India were 347 for eight at tea break, an overall lead of 308, and by then it was clear that the match would end in a draw. The two sides now move to Lord’s in London for the second of the five-match Test series, which begins on 17 July. In the morning session, India suffered a scare as England took three wickets for 17 runs in first hour. Stuart Broad removed both overnight batsmen Kohli and Rahane in successive overs before Liam Plunkett dismissed Dhoni to send shock waves in the visiting team camp.
India found themselves at a precarious 184 for six with an overall lead of 145 and four second innings wickets in hand when Binny and Jadeja joined forces. Binny, in company of the Saurashtra all-rounder, justified his selection by doing well enough to negotiate a good spell of bowling from James Anderson and Stuart Broad, asking questions. A copybook crouching cover drive off Liam Plunkett marked his arrival and it was followed by a well balanced pull-shot behind the square and a backfoot cover drive. Even after Jadeja departed caught by Matt prior off Anderson, Binny did not do away with his positive approach as he reached his half-century with a couple of boundaries followed by two singles in 86 balls.
Once the baptism was over, Binny looked in control as he scored runs from friendly off-breaks bowled by Moeen Ali. He reverse swept him as well as hit an inside out cover drive. He also hit Ali over extra cover for a flat six as one expected him to complete a ton on debut. But Ali coming from round the wicket trapped him in front as Kumar Dharmasena raised the dreaded finger. The TV replays showed that the delivery would have missed the leg-stump.
Moeen Ali (3/105) and Broad (2/50) were the best bowlers for England, while Liam Plunkett (2/85) and James Anderson (1/47) also finished among the wickets. Ben Stokes (0/60), Joe Root (0/22) and Gary Ballance were the other bowlers used. England captain Alastair Cook also took a wicket -- that of Ishant Sharma. Brief Scores India: 457 & 391 for 9 in 123 overs (Stuart Binny 78, Cheteshwar Pujara 55, Murali Vijay 52, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 63 not out; Moeen Ali 3/105). England 1st innings: 496 all out (Joe Root 154 not out, James Anderson 81, Gary Ballance 71, Sam Robson 59, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 5/82).
It was a good Test match for us: Dhoni
Calling the stalemate here a ‘good Test match’ for his team, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Sunday singled out Stuart Binny as one who could fill in the seaming all-rounder’s slot in the near future.
‘Overall there was a lot of positives for us. We needed a partnership this morning and we got it. It was a good Test match for us, we managed to put pressure on them and then we held up well when we were under pressure,’ Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
He had no regrets about leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI.
‘I don’t regret not playing R Ashwin because there was no help for the spinner. We had good combinations and I was happy with the bowling attack. I don’t think I could have changed much when (Joe) Root and (Jimmy) Anderson were going, we tried a few things but the ball got soft and the bowlers go tired and I don’t think there was much else we could have done.’
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