While the third test between India & England took an interesting turn, some amusing incidents happened on Day 3. A plane was seen flying over the Leeds Cricket Ground which had an interesting banner flying with it. The banner read ‘Sack ECB and Save Test Cricket’ which for sure was humiliating for the England & Wales Cricket Board. It happened in the 25th over of India’s second innings.
The ECB prioritizing the white-ball cricket lately has not impressed some of the cricket fans apparently. Some similar incidents happened during the 2019 World Cup but the messages then were of political nature. This time around someone decided to take a nice dig on the cricketing body of England.
This year there have been many occasions when the ECB clearly gave preference to the White ball thing rather than the Test Cricket. Let it be resting some of the top players during the tests against New Zealand due to their return from the IPL or the introduction of the 100-ball format. Moreover, the ECB asked some of its test players to play the initial matches of ‘The Hundred’. Doing so, ahead of the test series against India, resulted in improper practice for the high-profile series. Some of the players even accepted that the practice ahead of the series has not been the best possible.
The 100-ball format, which is still not too fascinating to the lovers of the longest format of the game, is one of the main reasons the ECB is being mocked.
This just flew over the ground at Headingley: pic.twitter.com/mIGOV7f44p
— George Dobell (@GeorgeDobell1) August 27, 2021
‘Jarvo 69’ appears again
One of the highlights of the 2nd test, Jarvo, who was seen invading the pitch as an Indian fielder in Lord’s was again seen on the pitch on the 3rd day of Leeds Test. This time around the invader came in padded up as an Indian Batsman. Jarvo, on this occasion, made sure that the players are safe against the virus as he wore a face mask this time. This was another hilarious incident that happened on Day 3.
Match takes an Interesting turn
After a pitiful performance of Indian batters in the first innings where the entire team got bundled out for a mere 78, the England side posted a humungous 432-run total on the board. Taking a lead of 354 runs, England was much ahead in the game at the start of Day 3. The Indian Batsmen though reduced the lead to just 139 runs by the end of Day 3. Virat Kohli & Cheteshwar Pujara are both looking strong and have managed a 99-run partnership so far. In case both the batsmen see-off the initial overs of Day 4, the pressure might start shifting onto the Englishmen.