Life's a pitch

ROOT’S IN A SPIN ON REAL SPICY SURFACE

- DEAN WILSON

ENGLAND were handed a cricketing lesson in Chennai as they were completely outfoxed by India on a spinner’s paradise.

Skittled for 134 in their first innings, the resigned-looking tourists coughed up a 195-run lead that was already extended beyond any likely chasing target by the close of day two – 249 and counting.

But just because England has accepted that the pitch is one of the more challenging they will play on, the lack of skill to cope with it is something to work on rather than to point the blame elsewhere.

Batting coach Graham Thorpe said: “It’s a very challenging surface, that’s what I’m going to say.