kyear2
Hall of Fame Member
I also want to reply to this again as well.Then why make a big deal about slips as a selection criteria?
And then to the op in general.
There was a moment in today's test that not only don't I think anyone mentioned, but that anyone noticed. Jadeja gloved a ball in the general direction of first slip and Root stayed back and parried it as a half volley. I can mention at least three guys who I've seen take half chances like that.
It's not going to fit into the metric of chances per innings or volume, but with a bit of luck going the other way, it would have altered the outcome or at least not let it get as close as it did. Yeah, it really does matter and why I often reference posts like this.

Also with regards to this test match, and comments I've seen online and in the forum. India played too many all rounders, or as I'm finally seeing more of the term, bits and pieces players. In my opinion, in test cricket you need specialists, there's one spot for an all rounder and me personally, I prefer one who can make such teams on their speciality alone.
There's been endless talk about sacrificing a bit of bowling to strengthen the tail, but in challenging conditions and tight chases, that so very rarely pays off.
No, I prefer a specialists like McGrath or Tendulkar in those scenarios. Yes Stokes was a beast this test, but it's also the scenario where he's also probably their best bowler, replace him with any elite pacer in that situation and today likely isn't that close.