The Riverside Ground is a cricket venue located in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, England.

Established in 1995, the Riverside Ground has a seating capacity of 5,000 for domestic games and 17,000 for international matches.

It is home to Durham County Cricket Club and has hosted several international matches.

The first noteworthy match played at the Riverside Ground was between Durham and the visiting New Zealanders in 1992. 

The Riverside Ground later staged its first international cricket match, a One-Day International (ODI) played between Pakistan and Scotland in the ICC Cricket World Cup in May 1999. Under the leadership of Wasim Akram, Pakistan won the match by 94 runs.

It also hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 game between Australia and Bangladesh.  

Since then, it has staged more than 20 One-Day Internationals so far. Let’s have a look at the Riverside Ground ODI records and stats:

Riverside Ground ODI records and stats

Highest total

The Sri Lanka national cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Riverside Ground in ODI cricket. During an ICC Cricket World Cup match in July 2019, Sri Lanka posted 338/6 in their 50 overs against West Indies in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. Put in to bat, Sri Lanka rode on Avishka Fernando’s 104, along with contributions from wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Perera (64), Lahiru Thirimanne (45 not out) and Kusal Mendis�?39 to post a record ODI total at the venue. In reply, West Indies scored 315/9 in their allotted overs as Sri Lanka won the ODI by 23 runs.

Lowest total

The England cricket team registered the lowest total at the Riverside Ground in ODI cricket. Chasing 257, the hosts were bundled out for 99 in 26.1 overs in the second ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of England in May 2014. Captain Eoin Morgan top-scored for England with 40 while Ian Bell added 12. For Sri Lanka, right-arm off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake bagged four wickets while pacer Nuwan Kulasekara picked up three scalps. Earlier, Tillakaratne Dilshan (88), Ashan Priyanjan (43) and wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara (40) powered Sri Lanka to 256/8 in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka won the second ODI by a massive 157 runs in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Most runs

England’s Jonny Bairstow has scored the most runs at the Riverside Ground in ODI format. Between 2015 and 2022, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batter has amassed 374 runs in five ODIs at an average of 93.50 and an impressive strike rate of 117.98. The hard-hitting right-handed batter has slammed one century and three ODI fifties at this ground. His teammate Joe Root features second on the list with 220 runs in six matches at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 94.82.

Most wickets

England’s Graeme Swann and David Willey share the record for the most wickets at this ground in ODI cricket. Former England right-arm off-spinner Graeme Swann claimed nine wickets in just three ODIs at an average of 13.66 and an economy of 4.39. Left-arm fast bowler David Willey has also bagged nine wickets in three matches at an average of 15.22 and a strike rate of 18. Legendary England pacer James Anderson is second on the list with eight ODI wickets in seven games at an economy of 4.48.

Highest individual score

South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen holds the record for the highest individual score at this venue in the ODI format. Batting at number three, Rassie van der Dussen slammed 134 off 117 balls in the first ODI of South Africa’s tour of England in July 2022. His scintillating hundred was laced with 10 fours. Rassie van der Dussen’s magnificent ton helped South Africa post 333/5 in their 50 overs. England were later bowled out for 271 in 46.5 overs as the visitors won the game by 62 runs.

Best bowling figures

Former England cricketer Graeme Swann registered the best bowling figures at the Riverside Ground in ODI format. Graeme Swann recorded match-winning figures of 5/28 against arch-rivals Australia in September 2009. The right-arm off-spinner dismissed captain Ricky Ponting, Cameron White, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee to bowl out Australia for 176 in 45.5 overs. Joe Denly (53) and captain Andrew Strauss (47) helped England chase down the target in 40 overs. Despite England’s four-wicket win, Australia clinched the seven-match ODI series 6-1. 

Highest partnership

Former Zimbabwe cricketers Murray Goodwin and Grant Flower hold the record for the highest partnership at the Riverside Ground in ODI cricket. During a NatWest Series encounter in July 2000, Murray Goodwin and Grant Flower stitched an unbeaten 186-run stand for the fifth wicket to help Zimbabwe chase down West Indies�?287/5 in 49.1 overs. Chasing 288, Zimbabwe were reduced to 104/4 in 22.2 overs. Later, Murray Goodwin scored 112 not out while Grant Flower remained unbeaten on 96 to guide Zimbabwe to a six-wicket win in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

Photo credit: Imago

The Trent Bridge Cricket Ground is one of the oldest cricket stadiums located in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, England.

Established in 1841, the Trent Bridge is built just across the River Trent from the city of Nottingham and was first opened by William Clarke, husband of the proprietress of the Trent Bridge Inn. 

It is the home ground of the England national cricket team and the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.

The Trent Bridge staged its first One-Day International (ODI) between hosts England and Pakistan in August 1974. The Intikhab Alam-led Pakistan won the match by seven wickets. Since then, it has hosted more than 50 ODIs so far.

It has also staged a few ODI World Cup matches in 1975, 1979, 1983, 1999 and 2019.

Let’s have a look at Trent Bridge ODI records and stats:

Trent Bridge ODI records and stats

Highest team total

The England cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in ODI cricket. During the third ODI of Australia’s tour of England in 2018, the hosts posted a mammoth total of 481/6 in their 50 overs in Nottingham. Jonny Bairstow (139), Alex Hales (147), Jason Roy (82) and captain Eoin Morgan (67) helped England register the second highest total in ODI history. In reply, Australia were bowled out for 239 as England secured a massive 242-run victory. Eoin Morgan’s men won the five-match ODI series 5-0.

Lowest team total

The South Africa cricket team recorded the lowest team total at Trent Bridge in the ODI format. Electing to bat first, South Africa were bundled out for 83 in 23 overs by England during the second ODI of the five-match series in 2008. Andre Nel was top-scorer for South Africa with 13. For England, fast bowler Stuart Broad was the wrecker-in-chief as he picked up five wickets for 23 runs in his quota of 10 overs. England later chased down the target in just 14.1 overs and won the match by 10 wickets.

Most runs

Former England cricketer Eoin Morgan has the most runs at this venue in the 50-over format. Between 2009 and 2019, the former England captain amassed 471 runs in 14 matches at an average of 42.81 and an impressive strike rate of 123.62. He slammed one hundred and three fifties in ODI cricket on this ground. Compatriot Alex Hales features second on the list with 441 runs in just six ODIs.

Most wickets

England fast bowler James Anderson bagged the most wickets at this ground in ODI cricket. The legendary pacer scalped 16 ODI wickets in eight matches at an average of 21.18 and an economy of 5.11. He registered best bowling figures of 4/55 on this ground in the ODI format. Anderson’s long-time bowling partner Stuart Broad is second on the list with 14 wickets in seven matches.

Highest individual score

England’s Alex Hales holds the record for the highest individual score at the Trent Bridge in the 50-over format. Opening the batting, Alex Hales smashed 171 off just 122 balls against Pakistan during the third ODI of a five-match series in 2016. Hales�?knock powered England to 444/3 in their allotted 50 overs. His magnificent knock was laced with 22 fours and four sixes. England later bowled out Pakistan for 275 to register a comprehensive 169-run victory.

Best bowling figures

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav registered the best bowling figures at this venue in one-day cricket. During the first ODI of India’s tour of England in 2018, the left-arm chinaman recorded brilliant figures of 6/25 to help restrict the hosts to 268. Kuldeep removed England’s Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and David Willey. India later rode on Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 137 to chase down the target in 40.1 overs and secured an eight-wicket win.

Highest partnership

England’s Alex Hales and Joe Root hold the record for the highest partnership at Trent Bridge in ODI cricket. In the third match of a five-game series, Alex Hales and Joe Root forged a massive 248-run partnership for the second wicket against Pakistan in Nottingham in 2016. While Hales hammered a 122-ball 171, Root scored 85 off 86 balls. England won the match by 169 runs.

Photo credit: Alamy

Former Sri Lanka spinner Muthiah Muralidaran holds the record for most wickets in Test cricket. During his career that spanned from 1992 to 2010, the legendary off-break bowler scalped 800 wickets in 133 Test matches at an average of 22.72.

Muralidaran is only one of two bowlers to have breached the 700-wicket mark in cricket’s longest format, with the other being Australia’s Shane Warne, who has 708 Test wickets to his name.

Among the nine teams Muralidaran has faced in his Test career, England have been his favourite victim, with the spinner picking 112 wickets at an average of 20.06 against them. Next up for him are India with 105 wickets against them at an average of 32.62 followed by South Africa with 104 wickets against the Proteas at an average of 22.22. It is only against these three teams that the spinner has picked more than 100 wickets.

Meanwhile, as far as batters are concerned, Mark Boucher has been dismissed more times (12) by Muralidaran than any other player. Zimbabwe’s Grant Flower who was dismissed 10 times by Murali follows the South African while Waqar Younis, Mohammad Yousuf and Khaled Mashud were also dismissed by the Sri Lankan legend nine times each.

Muralidaran, who also holds the record for the most player of the series awards in Test cricket (11), registered his best bowling figures against Zimbabwe in 2002, ending with figures of 9/51 in one innings. The spinner took 13 wickets in that match.

Furthermore, while Muralidaran and Shane Warne are the only bowlers to have scalped more than 700 wickets in the longest format, James Anderson sits third on this list with 689 wickets in 182 matches. The England pacer has registered 32 five-wicket hauls during his Test career, with his best bowling figures - 7/42 - coming against West Indies in 2017. 

Former India spinner Anil Kumble, who has bagged the most Test wickets for India, sits fourth on the list with 619 wickets followed by England’s Stuart Broad (600 wickets) in the fifth spot.

Most wickets in Test cricket

Player	Team	Span	Matches	Innings	Wickets	Best figure
Muthiah Muralidaran	Sri Lanka	1992-2010	133	230	800	9/51
Shane Warne	Australia	1992-2007	145	273	708	8/71
James Anderson	England	2003-2023	182	338	689	7/42
Anil Kumble	India	1990-2008	132	236	619	10/74
Stuart Broad	England	2007-2023	166	306	600	8/15

Featured photo: AFP / Lakruwan Wanniarachchi

India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has the best bowling strike rate in Tests amongst bowlers with minimum 450 wickets.

The veteran off-spinner currently has a strike rate of 51.12 in Test cricket, which is better than the top five leading wicket-takers in cricket’s longest format. Ashwin holds a better strike rate in Tests than the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, James Anderson, Anil Kumble and Stuart Broad.

Among the 450-wicket mark, only former Australian fast-medium pacer Glenn McGrath comes close to Ravichandran Ashwin for the best bowling strike rate in Tests. McGrath finished his legendary Test career with a strike rate of 51.95. Get the list of best bowling strike rate in Tests with minimum 450 wickets.

Best bowling strike rate in Tests (Min. 450 wickets)

Player	Span	Matches	Innings	Wickets	Strike Rate
Ravichandran Ashwin (India)	2011-2023	93	176	486	51.12
Glenn McGrath (Australia)	1993-2007	124	243	563	51.95
Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)	1992-2010	133	230	800	55.04
Stuart Broad (England)	2007-2023	165	305	598	55.68
James Anderson (England)	2003-2023	181	337	688	56.32

Ravichandran Ashwin | 51.12

Since making his Test debut against West Indies in 2011, Ravichandran Ashwin has become India’s biggest match-winner with the ball in the red-ball format. The Indian off-spinner has picked up 486 Test wickets in 93 matches at an average of 23.61 and a strike rate of 51.12, which is the best among bowlers with at least 450 Test wickets. He has scalped 34 five-wicket hauls in cricket’s longest format so far.

Glenn McGrath | 51.95

Considered to be one of the greatest bowlers of all-time, former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath tormented batters from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s. Known for his immaculate line and length, McGrath bagged 563 Test wickets in 124 matches at an average of 21.64 and an impressive strike rate of 51.95. He is currently the sixth-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Muttiah Muralitharan | 55.04

Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan holds the world record for the most wickets in international cricket. Between 1992 and 2011, the right-arm off-spinner scalped 1347 wickets in 495 matches at an average of 22.86. In Test cricket, Muralitharan is the only bowler to pick 800 Test wickets in 133 matches at a strike rate of 55.04. He bagged 67 five-wicket hauls, which is the most by any bowler in Tests.

Photo credit: Alamy

Former Sri Lanka spinner Muthiah Muralidaran has claimed the most wickets in international cricket.

Having made his international debut against Australia in a Test match in 1992, Muralidaran ended his career as the all-time highest wicket-taker in international cricket with 1347 scalps in 495 matches at an average of 22.86. He recorded 77 five-wicket hauls and 22 10-wicket hauls in his international career.

Considered to be one of the greatest bowlers to have played the sport, Muralidaran bagged 800 Test wickets in 133 matches at an average of 22.72 - the most by any bowler in the longest format of the game.

Muralidaran also holds the record for picking the most wickets in the ODI format, bagging 534 wickets in 350 matches at an impressive average of 23.08 and an economy of 3.93. 

The legendary off-spinner also played 12 T20Is, claiming 13 wickets at an economy of 6.31.

Muralitharan made his last international appearance in the 2011 World Cup final against India in Mumbai, which Sri Lanka lost by six wickets.

Australian legend Shane Warne features second on the list for most wickets in international cricket. During his international career, the leg-spinner picked 1001 wickets in 339 matches at an average of 25.51 including 38 five-wicket hauls and 10 10-wicket hauls.

Between 1992 and 2007, Warne bagged 708 Test wickets in 145 matches and 293 ODI wickets in 194 matches. 

England pacer James Anderson is third on the list for most wickets in international cricket. Anderson has bagged 975 wickets in 394 matches at an average of 27.12 with 34 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls.

Former India spinner Anil Kumble and ex-Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath complete the top five list for most wickets in international cricket.

While Kumble picked 956 wickets in 403 matches, McGrath picked up 949 wickets in 376 matches. Currently, Anderson has the most wickets in international cricket among active players.

Most wickets in international cricket

Player	Span	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy	5w	10w
Muthiah Muralidaran	1992-2011	495	1347	22.86	2.92	77	22
Shane Warne	1992-2007	339	1001	25.51	2.98	38	10
James Anderson	2002-2023	394	975	27.12	3.25	34	3
Anil Kumble	1990-2008	403	956	30.09	3.11	37	8
Glenn McGrath	1993-2007	376	949	21.76	2.93	36	3
Wasim Akram	1984-2003	460	916	23.57	3.17	31	5
Stuart Broad	2006-2022	342	841	27.76	3.45	21	3
Shaun Pollock	1995-2008	423	829	23.73	2.92	21	1
Waqar Younis	1989-2003	349	789	23.70	3.88	35	5
Chaminda Vaas	1994-2009	439	761	28.44	3.30	16	2

Featured photo: SANKA VIDANAGAMA / AFP

England cricketer James Anderson owns the record for the most wickets in international cricket among pacers.

Since making his international debut against arch-rivals Australia in a One-Day International (ODI) match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 2002, James Anderson has bagged 954 wickets in 388 matches at an average of 27.15. He has registered 34 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls in his international cricket career so far.

Considered to be one of the greatest swing bowlers in cricket’s history, Anderson is currently the leading active wicket-taker in Test cricket. The right-arm fast bowler has claimed 672 Test wickets in 176 matches at an average of 26.16 and an economy of 2.79. He has recorded 32 five-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls since donning the England jersey for the first time in the longest format against Zimbabwe at Lord’s in 2003.

The legendary pacer has also played 19 T20Is, scalping 18 wickets at an average of 23.44 and an economy of 7.85.

Anderson has surpassed the previous record held by Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath. 

Between 1993 and 2007, Glenn McGrath picked 949 international wickets in 376 matches at an average of 21.76 and an economy of 2.93.

McGrath made his international debut against trans-Tasman rival New Zealand in a Test match in Perth in 1993. He ended his legendary Test career as the fifth-highest wicket-taker with 563 scalps in 124 matches at an average of 21.64. McGrath registered 29 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls in his Test career.

The Australian speedster also featured in 250 ODIs, scalping 381 wickets at an average of 22.02 and an economy of 3.88. He also bagged five T20I wickets in two matches he played for the Men in Yellow.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram is third on the list for the most wickets in international cricket among pacers. 

Having made his international debut against New Zealand at Iqbal Stadium in 1984, Wasim claimed 916 wickets in 460 matches at an average of 23.57 including 31 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket hauls.

Akram finished as the second highest wicket-taker in the ODI format, having picked 502 wickets in 302 matches at an average of 23.53 and an economy of just 3.89. He recorded 17 four-wicket hauls and six-wicket hauls. In the longest format, the Pakistan fast bowler claimed 414 wickets in 104 matches at an average of 23.62. 

South Africa’s Shaun Pollock and Stuart Broad of England complete the top five list.

While Pollock has claimed 829 international wickets in 423 matches, Broad has already bagged 809 wickets in 336 matches.

Most wickets in international cricket among pacers

Player	Span	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy	5w	10w
James Anderson	2002-2022*	388	954	27.15	3.27	34	3
Glenn McGrath	1993-2007	376	949	21.76	2.93	36	3
Wasim Akram	1984-2003	460	916	23.57	3.17	31	5
Shaun Pollock	1995-2008	423	829	23.73	2.92	21	1
Stuart Broad	2006-2022*	336	809	27.90	3.44	20	3

 

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Featured photo: Alamy

England pacer Stuart Broad holds the record of bowling the most expensive over in Test cricket.

Broad conceded 35 runs off an over during England’s rescheduled fifth Test against India at the Edgbaston in Birmingham, in 2022.

Batting at number 10, India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah smashed 29 runs off Broad’s over, courtesy of four fours and two sixes. During that expensive over, Broad also conceded five wides, a no-ball and a single on the last ball as he gave away the most runs off an over in Test cricket.

Broad started the over by conceding a four as tailender Bumrah top-edged a short-pitched delivery towards fine leg. On the second delivery, the England fast bowler bowled a bouncer but it was too high as wicket-keeper Sam Billings failed to collect the ball and ended up conceding five wides.

Under pressure Broad then conceded a six off a no-ball as Bumrah managed to top-edge it over the keeper as it sailed over the boundary.

Things went from bad to worse as Bumrah hammered Broad for three consecutive fours in the next three balls. After Bumrah smashed a juicy full toss towards mid-on for a boundary and later inside-edged a four to fine leg, he followed it up by clobbering a length across the fence.

Bumrah later smashed a six over long-leg and then took a quick single as Broad ended up bowling the most expensive over in Test cricket.

Interestingly, Broad also holds the record of bowling the joint-most expensive over in T20I cricket. 

India’s Yuvraj Singh had smashed six sixes off an over during an ICC T20 World Cup encounter in Durban in 2007. 

Broad shares the record of bowling the most expensive over in T20I along with Sri Lanka’s Akila Dhananjaya, who was also hammered for six sixes off an over by West Indies�?Kieron Pollard in 2021.

Meanwhile, Bumrah also broke the record of West Indies legend Brian Lara for scoring the most runs off an over in Test cricket. Lara had smashed South Africa’s Robin Peterson for 28 runs in 2003, which was also the most expensive over in Test cricket before Bumrah’s heroics.

Previously, Australia’s George Bailey and Keshav Maharaj have also hit 28 runs off an over in Tests.

While Bailey hammered England fast bowler James Anderson for 28 runs, Maharaj smashed the same tally off England’s Joe Root.

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also features in the list of most expensive overs in Test cricket.

Pakistan swashbuckling batter Shahid Afridi smashed 27 runs off Harbhajan’s over during a Test match in Lahore in 2006.

Harbhajan conceded 27 off an over as Afridi clobbered four consecutive sixes and followed it up with a double and a single.

Most expensive over in Test cricket

Bowler	Batter	Runs conceded	Over	Venue	Year
Stuart Broad (England)	Jasprit Bumrah (India)	35	4w4nb644461	Birmingham	2022
Robin Peterson (South Africa)	Brian Lara (West Indies)	28	466444	Johannesburg	2003
James Anderson (England)	George Bailey (Australia)	28	462466	Perth	2013
Joe Root (England)	Keshav Maharaj (South Africa)	28	44466b4	Port Elizabeth	2020
Harbhajan Singh (India)	Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)	27	666621	Lahore	2006
Younis Khan (Pakistan)	Craig McMillan (New Zealand)	26	444464	Hamilton	2001
Danish Kaneria (Pakistan)	Brian Lara (West Indies)	26	406664	Multan	2006
Paul Harris (South Africa)	Mitchell Johnson (Australia)	26	446066	Johannesburg	2009
Suranga Lakmal (Sri Lanka)	Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)	26	466046	Christchurch	2014
Malinda Pushpakumara (Sri Lanka)	Hardik Pandya (India)	26	446660	Pallekele	2017

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Featured photo: Lindsey Parnaby / AFP

 

Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and England pacer James Anderson were involved in a heated exchange during the first session on Day 4 of the second Test at Lord's on Sunday.

The visitors seemed to be under the pump after losing both their in-form openers KL Rahul (5) and Rohit Sharma (21) with India reeling at 27/2 before Kohli walked into bat at No. 4 at the end of the 11th over.

The short delivery does the trick for Mark Wood as he dismisses Rohit Sharma!

He is on

are 27/2.#WTC23 | #ENGvIND | http://t.co/rhWT865o91 pic.twitter.com/zdIwKBBRU7

�?ICC (@ICC) August 15, 2021

As India felt the pressure, tempers flared between Kohli and Anderson during the 17th over of the day. Team India skipper was spotted complaining to the umpire that the veteran England fast bowler was deliberately running on the danger zone of the pitch, which further irked Anderson who later exchanged heated words with Kohli.

“You swearing at me again are you? This isn't your fu**ing backyard," Kohli was heard telling Anderson on the stump mic.

"Chirp chirp chirp. This is what old age makes you do," Kohli added after Anderson completed his fifth delivery of the over.

While at the crease, Kohli looked in good touch before poking at a delivery from England left-arm pacer Sam Curran. The Indian captain ended up giving a simple catch to wicket-keeper Jos Buttler and was dismissed for 20.

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane stitched a 100-run partnership to bring India back into the game.

#TeamIndia's lead now surpasses 1�?�?�?

A gritty stand between @cheteshwar1 & @ajinkyarahane88 is going strong. #ENGvIND

Follow the match http://t.co/KGM2YELLde pic.twitter.com/tj626YvKeN

�?BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2021

However, both Pujara (45) and Rahane (61) fell in quick succession as India found themselves in trouble again at 167/5. The hosts piled on the misery as they then went on to pick the crucial wicket of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (3) after he was cleaned up by Moeen Ali.

India ended Day 4 at 181/6 with Rishabh Pant (14) and Ishant Sharma (4) batting at the crease. The visitors lead by 154 runs with four wickets in hand heading into the fifth and final day of the second Test.

Featured photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP

The Indian cricket team is all set to host England for an enthralling pink-ball Test at the newly re-constructed Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.

After succumbing to a 227-run defeat in the first Test in Chennai, Virat Kohli-led Team India bounced back strongly in the second as the hosts registered their biggest win over England in terms of runs (317) at the same venue.

The stage is now all set for an exciting Day/Night Test to be played at the world's largest cricket ground that has a seating capacity of 1,10,000. 

I must admit that the stadium looks spectacular and I just can’t wait to experience the atmosphere with a jam-packed crowd soon.

Considering that the pink-ball swings more, I’m also excited to see how the two pace bowling attacks perform at this amazing venue.

Here are four names who I think can put in a Man of the Match performance in the third Test.

Jasprit Bumrah

After being rested in the second Test, Jasprit Bumrah will be raring to go with the pink ball in his hand at the Motera Stadium. The return of the 27-year-old in the playing XI will certainly give the hosts�?pace bowling attack an edge as he has been India’s best bowler in the last few years. In his short Test career, the right-arm fast bowler has scalped 83 wickets in just 18 Tests at an average of 21.88, with five five-wicket hauls. I expect Bumrah to play a major role if India are to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match Test series.

James Anderson

Just like Bumrah, England had decided to rest James Anderson in the second match in order to keep him fresh for the pink-ball Test. England’s pace spearhead had produced an exhibition of high-class reverse-swing bowling on the final day of the first Test in Chennai to catapult the visitors to a memorable 227-run win. The 38-year-old is the highest wicket-taker in Tests among pace bowlers, which I think is an astonishing feat. I expect Anderson to replace Moeen Ali in the visitors playing XI for the Day/Night encounter.

Cheteshwar Pujara

India’s batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara will have a major role to play in the upcoming Test if the hosts are to post a massive first-innings total in Ahmedabad. Pujara along with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will need to negotiate the new pink ball against the likes of Anderson, Jofra Archer and one of Stuart Broad and Mark Wood, setting the tone for the Indian middle-order. I am expecting a big score from Pujara as he has only amassed 116 runs in four innings in the ongoing Test series.

Jonny Bairstow

The return of Jonny Bairstow will be a massive boost to the England cricket team ahead of the third Test against India. The 31-year-old batsman was rested for the first two Tests as part of England's rotation policy and he is expected to play the Day/Night Test at Motera. The visitors are heavily dependent on Joe Root for runs and Bairstow’s return will certainly ease some burden on the England skipper. Having played for the Hyderabad franchise in the Indian T20 League, Bairstow has plenty of experience of playing in these conditions.

 

Feature image courtesy: PETER PARKS / AFP