Republic Day in India was very much labour day for England’s cricketers, the tourists toiling in Hyderabad as their hosts took a vice-like grip on this first Test. Batter error was the chief source of wickets for Ben Stokes and his side in what was an ominous sign of things to come on this toughest of away tours.
By stumps, the drinkers among them could not even look forward to a cold beer, with the sale of alcohol banned on national holidays in India. Instead, it was back to the team hotel for an evening on the softies, well earned for their three sessions of perspiration, even if inspiration had been lacking in the main. Even Joe Root attempting a flip of the bails at one stage à la Stuart Broad at the Oval last summer did not work.
