Published: Jul 29, 2017, 06:31 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 29, 2017, 06:31 PM (IST)
Australia great Shane Warne recently said England debutant Toby Roland-Jones will do well in Australian pitches. Though the 29-year old Middlesex pacer took the lone wicket of Hashim Amla on his ODI debut against South Africa earlier this year and contributed well with the bat. However, he was England’s show-stealer on Day Two of the third Test, bagging 5 wickets and running through the South Africa batting. His Friday scalps included wickets of Amla, Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock. Roland-Jones’ 5-for was the catalyst behind South Africa’s 175-run collapse chasing England’s first innings total of 353. Toby Roland-Jones: Every kid dreams of this moment
“Well, if he bowls like he did this afternoon he’ll do very, very well down in Australia with the pitches there. The last couple of seasons they’ve left a lot more grass on the pitches so the ball does move a little. It’s all about the role in the side and Toby Roland-Jones’s role in this side is to back up (Stuart) Broad and (Jimmy) Anderson. Today he’s had a day out, conditions have suited him. They’ve been perfect – overcast with lights and the ball nipping around,” Warne was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“He might have to do a few more harder yards on the hard pitches of Australia but if he bowls like he did this afternoon, on a length, he’ll do well and he’ll like the extra bounce on Australian pitches,” he added.
At stumps of Day Two, Alastair Cook (6*) and Keaton Jennings (10*) remained unbeaten as England put up 20 for 0, taking a 198-run lead.
