Media365
Former England wicketkeeper-batter Matt Prior has slammed Jos Buttler’s side following their heavy defeat against India in the second ODI in Cuttack. India comfortably chased down a 305-run target with four wickets in hand and 33 balls to spare, leaving Prior unimpressed with England’s performance.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the 42-year-old pointed out how England failed to put India under any real pressure.
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“I think the worry is how easily India chased 305 down. Okay, they lost a few wickets at the end, but that was more boredom than anything as they were trying to get the game finished,” Prior remarked.
He was particularly critical of England’s bowling attack, noting that raw pace alone wasn’t enough to trouble the Indian batters on these surfaces.
“Wood is bowling quick, but that isn’t enough on these wickets. You have to be accurate, execute properly, and put batters under pressure. England had no answer for Rohit,” he added.
Prior heaped praise on India captain Rohit Sharma, whose commanding 119-run knock set the tone for the chase.
“Pace on, pace off, Wood was steaming in – but everything England tried, Rohit counterpunched. He is a class act and played a belligerent and classy innings.”
While acknowledging England’s positives, including the opening partnership of Phil Salt and Ben Duckett and Joe Root’s return to form, Prior insisted the team as a whole looked out of sync.
“England got over 300, and the opening partnership is working, while Root got runs on the board. But they don’t look in great form as a team. They say you can tell where a team is at by their fielding, and there were some sloppy mistakes.”
With England already trailing 0-2 in the series, they will need a much-improved performance in the final ODI to salvage some pride.
