'They could do with Ashwin and Vihari' - R Sridhar nostalgic after England script dramatic draw in 4th Ashes Test at SCG

India managed to script a historic save in the third Test at Sydney last year as Ravi Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari put up a humungous effort with the bat despite facing an injury. R Sridhar was India’s fielding coach at the time has seen the game closely and he has relived memories of it after England had to face the same battle today at the Sydney ground. The Joe Root-led side had just one wicket to survive and they had to play out the last two overs of the day.

Luckily, James Anderson saved the day for England as Australia almost edged another victory in the five-match Test series. The hosts had won all the three Tests so far in the series and they have not given any space for England to recover from the defeats. Usman Khawaja’s brilliant centuries in first and second innings alongside Scott Boland’s impressive start to his Test career meant that Australia continued their dominance at Sydney.

Nostalgic about this situation here at the SCG: R Sridhar

Sridhar who has moved on from India’s position as the fielding coach tweeted about the role played by Ashwin and Vihari last year to save India from Sydney and compared it to the ongoing Ashes. Earlier on the day, Zak Crawley and Ben Stokes hit the fifties but a late strike from the Australian bowlers meant that they were reduced to 270 for the loss of 9 wickets with two overs to go. Anderson survived the last over from Steve Smith to end an exciting Test for a draw.

“Can’t help but get nostalgic about this situation here at the @scg. @ECB_cricket could do with @ashwinravi99 & @Hanumavihari here,” Sridhar tweeted.

Can't help but get nostalgic about this situation here at the @scg @ECB_cricket could do with @ashwinravi99 & @Hanumavihari here 😉#Ashes#rivettingtestmatchcricket

— R SRIDHAR (@coach_rsridhar) January 9, 2022

England still has a lot of work to do with their batting especially as Haseeb Hameed failed yet again at the top. Dawid Malan and Joe Root did show a lot of promise at the start but have gone on a downward spiral in the last few innings. Meanwhile, Australia will have a good headache coming into the final Test if Travis Head returns. The left-hander was tested positive for Covid-19 and had to be replaced by Khawaja who had twin centuries in the Sydney Test.