England's Indian Summer - T20s, ODIs & Tests

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Off goes Rahul...at least he doesn't waste a review ! That was stone dead.
Jimmy on course for ten ?

Rahane in next as Kohli was off the field too long...

Time for the new ball. England 218 for 6 and lead by 191. Kohli sticks with the old ball and Ashwin.

Finally, Kohli takes the new ball and Ahwin has it.

Lead now over 200. England 228 for 6 and lead by 201 and the second consecutive 50 partnership. Advantage England.

curran bats like broad did in his peak days as a batsman

KP_fan wrote:curran bats like broad did in his peak days as a batsman

I think Curran is a little more correct than Broad ever was ... But there are indeed similarities . Hopefully young Sam won't get his face rearranged and lose his confidence.

Ishant to bowl over the wicket to Curran , I see. He's not going to risk being banned for the innings.

Ten more overs due today so they might nearly get them all in , with that now regular extra half hour...

Buttler out lbw. He reviews but the decision stands. England 233 for 7. The lead is 206. Valuable knock from Buttler.

phew...a little extra seam movement and another wicket plucked out
did Eng lose that review?

Another cavalier knock from Curran. He moves on to 30. England effectively 214 for 7.

KP_fan wrote:phew...a little extra seam movement and another wicket plucked out
did Eng lose that review?

No ...it was umpires call so review retained.

India needed that break !

Good knock from Jos...little bit unfortunate to get given on that one as it was only just trimming the bails ; but he's helped take England to a defendable lead.

Curran and the other bowlers will be keen to stretch that lead a bit further in these last few overs...

Sam's batting is highly regarded by Surrey although he's never really done it at county level yet. Indeed this season has been a considerable disappointment in the Championship - just one fifty from 10 innings (9 completed) and averaging around 23 although with a strike rate of 60+.

I feel he actually bats better when the pressure is on and he has to concentrate fully. His Test batting stats support that view - around double the above average although a lot lower strike rate. More than 250 Test runs now as well.

Gripping test match this. England 252 for 7 and lead by 225. England strengthening their position.

Lead over 220 ...

Six overs left - we won't get 'em all in. Which is poor really , with Ashwin bowling so many of the overs. Not that the crowd will complain , I guess : they've had their money's worth in tense , tight cricket.

Going to be similar scores for each day : day one 265 ; day two 260 - ten wickets each day : this one stands at 248 as I type...

Rashid doing his job well...every extra run valuable . And if these two can come back out tomorrow England could potentially profit from some weary bowlers backing up after a solid days work...

Think this will be the last over ? Maybe not , as it's Ashwin back on...Rashid looking to just defend...good lad.

259/7

Eng ahead...and it' not easy getting wickets...pitch has eased significantly
we've gotta literally Prise out 3 more wickets and then chase down some thinng around 300 hopefully

Phew.....we do prise out another wicket at the very end
Eng still ahead...lets see what we get to chase

A fluctuating, gripping day of test cricket that ebbed and flowed and packed with tension. Rashid caught behind off the penultimate ball of the day to end the day. England on top though on 260 for 8 and lead by 233. Curran 37 notbout.

Pity Rashid went right at the end...but I'll take that for the days work

Broad and Anderson won't have minded having a full days rest for once !

I don't think either side will be too unhappy with their day's work but England should be the more pleased imo.

On the downside for England the same two glaring weaknesses are still prevalent:

1. The top order batting is woefully fragile.
2. The bowling attack are excellent in home conditions but will they take wickets abroad?

On the upside though this side is still competing despite those weaknesses which shows that there is talent to work with.

I was skeptical of Buttler against the red ball but he has applied his talent very well. As a strong player of spin England will need him to continue his form in Sri Lanka.

If Root is kept at 4 and Bairstow/Stokes/Buttler settle as 5-6-7 then the batting has something to build from. The top 3 looks no closer to be sorted though.

Telling that punditry on BBC saying England are favourites as, among other reasons, Mo will bowl better than Ashwin - no mention of Rashid. Presume Rashid could be dangerous abroad, but you’d think that Rashid needs to prove in the last innings of this game that he should keep a place. They could easily lose him and find a number three to try or a returning Woakes coming in for him.

Massive credit to Buttler - clearly any labels of “luxury” are looking foolish now. Hands held up.

You ask me, Curran isn’t droppable, and neither is Buttler. I’d put all these as secure:

Root, YJB, Stokes, Buttler, Curran, Broad, Anderson.
(Stokes earns a lot of credit from me for being a gritty bugger)

2 openers are questions. Then whether you play Joe at 3 or pick a new 3. Woakes or a new three. Mo or a different spinner?

It's still about 50-50, I would say, though England have grinded their way through the day. The wicket isn't that bad and plenty of batsmen are getting 'in', albeit not posting high scores.

If India end up having to chase 250 or below, I think I would make them favourites, considering the form Kohli and Pujara are in.

As I was hoping the middle/late order once more dug England out of a hole and gave them something to bowl at.
Buttler has now played four good Test innings this summer. I know there were many who questioned his selection. Another good innings from Curran. It could be a thrilling finish.

Missed today’s play, but happy to see that Jos Buttler’s continue to backup my faith in him - he was England’s best bat against Pakistan, and is in the conversation again this series. Good to see him finally making the most of his ridiculous talent in the red ball stuff.

And another intriguingly poised test match - similar to Edgbaston. Can India chase down the runs this time? I fancy them to do it

Many things point to England already having enough on the board. Statistically, India do not have a good record of chasing down 200+ totals away from home - they couldn't chase down 190 in the first test. Moeen has a good record in England in second innings as well plus Anderson and Broad will get wickets with the new ball.

Obviously, it is still beautifully poised but England have the edge now.

Duty281 wrote:It's still about 50-50, I would say, though England have grinded their way through the day. The wicket isn't that bad and plenty of batsmen are getting 'in', albeit not posting high scores.

If India end up having to chase 250 or below, I think I would make them favourites, considering the form Kohli and Pujara are in.

I am of the same view...that anything upto 275 is even game....because pitch has slowed down with little for seamers  after the paint on the new ball has worn off
And Moeen got his wickets more due to shock value.....Indians confused on how to handle him....especially Pandya, pant and ashwin.......only the one that got Ishant kicked up a bit.

That so called rough is too far...and almost an half-volley length & difficult to land into against competent batsmen who can drive

India biggest threat remain Board and anderson for about 20 overs with new ball....and then when they get the second new ball

That last wicket might have given India a bit of heart ; but I do think England are in the better position now.
Scoring runs on this this hasn't been easy ...look at the - consistent - scores over three days . No reason to suppose making over 240 in the fourth innings will be a breeze...
Not impossible , of course. But the odds are generally with the defenders in this situation. Mind you , it looked different 24 hours ago ; and 48 ...so who's to say ?

Olly is rightly delighted one of his project players in Buttler has lived up to his hopes . I just hope that this means England have the good sense to use both JBs to best advantage : ie get Bairstow back keeping (if fit to do so) and batting seven and let Buttler bat at six where his recent form suggests he might well fit.
Won't solve the top three issues. But trying to use them to do so was a futile attempt...it does appear they've realized pushing Root to three was a mistake so there is hope even those stubborn so and so's might be capable of learning from mistakes...
By the way : what is Michael Vaughan up to ? Having a go at Bairstow for "sulking" ? Of course he isn't happy not keeping. But I've not heard him demanding to bat at four or five either...far as I can see he bats wherever they ask him. But , as Boycott says , he really isn't a top order Test player so should be back where he can do a job for England ...and Buttler's development as a batsman makes that comfortably possible. Don't need Vaughan stirring up trouble...

It's all Vaughan does.

I think Vaughn has a point.....Bairstow is posturing a bit as I saw his interview too......to ensure he gets the WK slot back
A WK has a longer rope and average 32 for example acceptable from his No. 6 or 7 slot

However when playing as a  pure batsman one has to bat higher...face fresher bowlers and yet deliver an average of 40+
so no wonder Bairstow's comfort zone is with gloves on

question is....will he get the gloves back when fully fit or will Butler hold them

England seem to be in the better position, but with India likely to be chasing no more than 250, I don't think they are going to be too intimidated if Moeen is the main threat. The telling factor will be whether there's any swing for Anderson on what looks like another bright, sunny day

Conditions are good for batting, certainly overhead. Anderson is having a 'cold' test match, and Stokes isn't fit to bowl too many overs. No massive spin threat. Kohli and Pujara are in great form.

All reasons why I think India can chase down 250. If England get into the 275+ area, different story, of course.

Yes I'd agree with that as 250 doesn't really bring the second new ball into play, 275+ probably does. This would usually be a good pitch for Stokes, but he might not bowl at all. Could do with a Broad special today

Seems like a lot of posters here are foreseeing India rewriting the record books then it what would be their highest ever run chase in a fourth innings in England. It would also be their highest run chase in fourth innings since 1976 outside of Asia.

Think England will win with a bit in hand too

Broad gone first ball. Should have left it, instead he gifts his wicket. India now favourites.

CaledonianCraig wrote:Seems like a lot of posters here are foreseeing India rewriting the record books then it what would be their highest ever run chase in a fourth innings in England. It would also be their highest run chase in fourth innings since 1976 outside of Asia.

Rewriting the record books will happen more and more. Batsmen are more positive now, run rates are higher etc.

Only last year that the West Indies chased down a 300+ total.

Duty281 wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Seems like a lot of posters here are foreseeing India rewriting the record books then it what would be their highest ever run chase in a fourth innings in England. It would also be their highest run chase in fourth innings since 1976 outside of Asia.

Rewriting the record books will happen more and more. Batsmen are more positive now, run rates are higher etc.

Only last year that the West Indies chased down a 300+ total.

The best yardstick would be earlier this summer in a match between the two same sides. India set a target of 193 and fell short.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Seems like a lot of posters here are foreseeing India rewriting the record books then it what would be their highest ever run chase in a fourth innings in England. It would also be their highest run chase in fourth innings since 1976 outside of Asia.

Rewriting the record books will happen more and more. Batsmen are more positive now, run rates are higher etc.

Only last year that the West Indies chased down a 300+ total.

The best yardstick would be earlier this summer in a match between the two same sides. India set a target of 193 and fell short.

Tougher pitch, tougher conditions, Stokes could bowl plenty of overs, Anderson was bowling well, no Pujara.

India will need 245 to level the series. Curran run out on 46.

245 for India to get. I'd make India 55-45 favourites - it's very, very tight, but 245 has been surpassed in all three innings so far.

Kohli and Pujara need to chip in 125+ of the runs, whatever the other 9 can get is a bonus.

chase is 245
India polished them off with relatively less damage this morning
50-50 now
History / records stats mean little...the pitch showed no devaitation

spin is very slow...unless landed in the rough ....and competent batsman will make that inot a half volley

It's upto anderson and Broad....if they pluck out top-4 for 60 odd...they will win it for Eng
else Moeen & Rashid ain't winning it for Eng

Duty281 wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Duty281 wrote:

CaledonianCraig wrote:Seems like a lot of posters here are foreseeing India rewriting the record books then it what would be their highest ever run chase in a fourth innings in England. It would also be their highest run chase in fourth innings since 1976 outside of Asia.

Rewriting the record books will happen more and more. Batsmen are more positive now, run rates are higher etc.

Only last year that the West Indies chased down a 300+ total.

The best yardstick would be earlier this summer in a match between the two same sides. India set a target of 193 and fell short.

Tougher pitch, tougher conditions, Stokes could bowl plenty of overs, Anderson was bowling well, no Pujara.

Different pitch that is taking spin and England have two spinners on a track Moeen has historically bowled well at. History also against India. Swings and roundabouts but I would sooner be in England's position.

What is wrong with England mentally this summer. Rash shots at times, rash running, awful catching. It would appear the problem is not only a case of poor (out of form) batsmen. But one of mental confusion, probably not helped by the confusion created by certain selection decisions throughout the summer.

looks like pujara will not come out at No.3
hes doesn't seem to to be padded up

Rahul bowled by Broad for a duck. India 4 for 1.

Broad deserves that for his start. Shows the value of bowling at the stumps, which is what Anderson isn't doing.

Key batsman in.

Rahul did get an unplayable scooter...but that's the only danger now......and later if someone can reverse it
the alarming swing / seam ain't there

a very tough fight though for india

Pujara trapped lbw by Anderson. India 17 for 2. Reviewed by India but decision stands. Massive wicket that.

Pujara loses on a tight call. That's absolutely huge for England.

well India needed to keep anderson and Broad out......and not doing well enuf now

Anderson strikes again. Dhawan caught at third slip by Stokes. Good catch. India 22 for 3.