England’s slump a grim reality

Its batsmen lacked the heart and the technique to bat two sessions on a wicket that held no devils

England did not go down in the second Test at Lord’s owing to the ill-advised bouncer barrage at Jasprit Bumrah. The host certainly blew an opportunity to win on a dramatic last day with its bizarre bowling tactics at the Indian tail that wagged. But then, England lost because its batsmen lacked the heart, the will and the technique to bat two sessions on a wicket that held no devils.