Marcus Trescothick Critiques Akash Deep’s Conduct During Tense Test Match at The Oval
In a recent Test match at The Oval, England’s assistant coach Marcus Trescothick voiced his disapproval of Indian bowler Akash Deep’s behavior following the dismissal of Ben Duckett. As Duckett made his way off the field, Deep placed an arm around his shoulders and exchanged what Trescothick described as "unwanted parting words" with a grin.
Trescothick remarked, "There’s no need to walk him off in that manner. Your job is done at that point." He expressed his confusion over the unusual gesture, stating, "I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bowler do that after taking a wicket. It was quite strange."
The match was rife with tension, highlighted by several confrontations. Following Duckett’s dismissal, Trescothick was seen making animated gestures from the England dressing room balcony, indicating the rising frustration within the team as the day unfolded with a remarkable 342 runs and 15 wickets, ultimately giving India a 52-run lead.
Deep’s actions followed an earlier taunt from Duckett, who was caught on stump microphones declaring, "You can’t get me out," directed at the Indian bowler.
In another heated moment, England’s Joe Root found himself in a fiery exchange with Indian seamer Prasidh Krishna, responding with unusual intensity to Krishna’s remarks. Umpires had to step in to remind the Indian team about maintaining composure, as Root, known for his typically calm demeanor, displayed visible anger.
The intensity further escalated when Duckett appeared to provoke Sai Sudharsan as play neared its conclusion. These incidents add to the ongoing rivalry, which has been marked by a series of disputes, including a time-wasting controversy during the previous match at Lord’s.
Trescothick later explained that his animated gestures were part of a light-hearted banter among colleagues, saying, "We were just chatting on the balcony. Many from my era would have reacted differently. I was just having a laugh about it." He noted that while Root usually takes such moments in stride, he chose to respond differently this time.
Krishna acknowledged the strategic approach taken by the Indian team, revealing, "That was the plan — to get under England’s skin." He admitted he was surprised by Root’s strong reaction to his comments, emphasizing that it was all in the spirit of competition.
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook supported India’s tactics on Test Match Special, questioning, "Why wouldn’t you try to unsettle Joe Root? His record against India is outstanding." He pointed out that Root’s performance was below par, scoring only 29 runs compared to his usual average of 60 against India, predicting, "We’re in for more fireworks in the upcoming days."
As the Test match progresses, all eyes will be on the players to see how this charged atmosphere unfolds in the remaining days of play.
