India won the toss and decided to bowl. On an overcast morning, exactly what any professional would advise the Captain winning the toss to do. Seemed to work, too - England scrambled to 221 all out, thanks only to a battling 64 from Broad coming in at number 9.
Now let me tell you, you don't need to understand anything about cricket other than to know that every professional will swear that in conditions which tend to being humid and overcast, if you win the toss, you choose to bowl, because the ball swings more and that makes it difficult for the batsmen to play, so you get more wickets. From amateurs to top internationals, they all know this to be true - and act on it.
Except that there is not a jot of scientific evidence to support it. Despite many efforts to explain what all cricketers know, and have various theories about, scientists have been unable to evidence it.
As far as the scientists are concerned, there is no hard evidence that a cricket ball behaves differently in humid, overcast conditions from bright, sunny ones.
Doesn't mean it doesn't happen though. Doesn't mean all the professionals are totally wrong. Doesn't stop people spending money on watching cricket.
Former England international, Phil Tufnell commentating for BBC Test Match Special, is clearly a believer, shared this at close: "They [ie India] will want to come back tomorrow with the sun shining bright. If it's like today conditions-wise, though, [ie overcast] I expect more of the same with wickets falling."
More research is undoubtedly needed.
Now let's talk about research and evidencing conductive education ..... or rather, let's not.
By the way, India went on to lose a wicket themselves before the close of play for the day.
