Interesting. For me I preferred the first test, as this second test was done by lunch time day 1, as that was about how long the top lasted for.
I'd love there to be no toss in cricket; just let the Away Team pick what they'd like to do first and then play. Sure, curators and nations may still strive for home advantages but at least you do away with test matches decided on a coin flip.
First tests was one England have scored 400+.. well, basically it’s a draw unless India do something dumb. They did, at which point it was .. ah, game over then
Both tests produced one sided wins. Which side of the fence you sit on is probably down to nationality or personal preferred format (or simply a ‘we won so who cares woo’ and a ‘we got hammered, we need an excuse as to why’ ) . Those who like slug fests will most likely (not always) like the flatter wickets .. those who like it to challenge a batter, will probably prefer test two. Same with Saturday cricket, those who love to hit will want a road, Those who want a challenge will prefer non roads. Both can produce good games, both can and do produce Boring games where everyone knows the winner a mile away. Question is, which gives teams something to play for even if it’s one sided..(saturdays that is)
Neither wicket is perfect and could be improved but these are the two we had for these two specific games.
Next wicket may favour England but I can’t see England supporters moaning if it does. It’ll be one Jimmy Jimmy’ or ‘broaddddy’ or ‘stokey lad’ blah blah (same with India with ashwin etc)