Now Reading: Morkel hints India may enforce follow-on in Colombo
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Morkel hints India may enforce follow-on in Colombo
India bowling coach Morne Morkel has not ruled out enforcing the follow-on against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo, with rain forecast for the final days. India bowled Sri Lanka…
India bowling coach Morne Morkel has not ruled out enforcing the follow-on against Sri Lanka in the second Test in Colombo, with rain forecast for the final days. India bowled Sri Lanka out for 230 on day three, taking a first-innings lead of 148 runs, and will decide on the follow-on based on conditions.
Morkel said the team would weigh the weather forecast before making a call. Enforcing the follow-on could give India more time to push for a result, especially if rain interrupts play. India lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Bengaluru.
The decision will be taken on day four morning, with the match situation and overhead conditions being key factors. A win in Colombo would give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Indian Opinion Analysis
India have enforced the follow-on only once in the last decade, against West Indies in 2011. The risk is that a flat pitch and tired bowlers could let Sri Lanka bat deep into day five, leaving India chasing a small target in the fourth innings. Under the ICC playing conditions, the follow-on threshold is 200 runs for a five-day Test. The weather watch in Colombo will be as important as the captain's call: if rain washes out large chunks of time, enforcing the follow-on may be the only way to force a result. The series win would be India's third in Sri Lanka since 2010.
The final call rests with captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid. The first hour on day four will reveal their thinking.
Source: cricinfo.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
