England vs India live: score, updates from fourth Test day 5

Times

2 days ago

Successive near-misses for Gill from Woakes to end the 85th over. The first kept low outside the off stump and Gill bottom-edged it through to the wicketkeeper on the bounce. Gill left the next ball and it cut back like an off spinner, surprising everyone, but it didn't quite do enough to clip the wickets.
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Runs have been so secondary to the narrative this morning that Shubman Gill's quiet journey towards three figures has only just taken centre stage. There are two captains out there battling for their side, Gill having come to the crease with India at nought for two in the opening over yesterday.
Gill's fabulous series with the bat continues. He reaches his century in sedate fashion with a single and celebrations are of restrained relief too, with a short shriek of delight. There is more work to do.
The first innings here, and the Lord's Test, were a mini-drought for Gill after his stunning start at Headingley and Edgbaston. This is his fourth hundred of the series, one of which was a monster 269.
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Woakes induced an edge from Washington Sundar, but it went to ground before it reached the slip cordon. Enough to interest the fielding side.
As Brook warned, it will be Jofra Archer from the other end. Gill will face first and England will want him off strike. Archer has been superb to left-handers in this series, and there are a couple to come after Washington (assuming Pant hobbles to the middle at all).
Stokes calls it a morning at 8-2-12-1. He has provided endless cause for debate, has removed KL Rahul and has struck Shubman Gill on the finger.
England take the new ball immediately and Chris Woakes will have first use, to the left-hander Washington Sundar.
'Jof with the new ball soon,' Harry Brook reminds 'Washy', AKA Washington Sundar, at the non-striker's end after the Indian batsmen turn down an easy single. That bit of chat is perhaps what has convinced Washington to aim a miscued slog sweep at Dawson, which clears Chris Woakes at mid-on but doesn't reach the boundary. The first 15 overs of play have yielded only 22 runs. Sir Humphrey Appleby of Yes Minister fame might have dubbed it a courageous shot.
Sky Sports have just put up a statistic showing how important Stokes has been to England's bowling in this series. He has taken six wickets at 32.16 between overs 31 and 80. No other England bowler has averaged beneath 60. Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse haven't taken a single wicket in that phase of the innings.
And that's drinks after an engrossing first hour. Dawson has bowled tightly at one end without quite threatening, while Stokes has taken 6-2-9-1 in a spell of mischievous bounce and regular grimaces. Four overs left until the new ball, when a new chapter begins. Seven wickets to go for England, India 118 runs behind.
After that low bounce, Stokes has got one to rise up and strike Gill on the hand. The India captain has opted against the old adage of playing down any discomfort and not rubbing the affected area. The ball has reared up and hit him on the fingers of his right hand, ricocheting into his helmet. He threw his bat and helmet down, immediately took off his glove and gave his hand a good old shake. A short delay while he is seen to.
And the injured titan has the breakthrough after all. He finds good reason to lift his arm in the air as he hardly bothers appealing, running towards the striker's end in celebration. KL Rahul is gone for 90, his partnership with Shubman Gill over after 70 overs and 188 runs.
Low bounce again — not as low as that early ball to Gill, but enough for the wicket. The ball seamed in and snuck beneath Rahul's bat, striking him on the pad. Little doubt over that one.
The new man is not the injured Rishabh Pant but Washington Sundar, elevated up to No5 for the first time in his Test career.
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England will have to do it without any reviews. They ask if KL Rahul has tickled a sweep down the leg side from Dawson, well taken by Jamie Smith. The ball has flicked the pad but no bat. At the other end, Stokes continues (at 85mph, no less) despite his obvious concern over his right shoulder. He keeps placing his hand behind his back towards his rear end, and in his follow-through and return to his mark he has been keeping his bowling arm straight down his side.
Dropped catch for England. Gill drove Stokes hard and high to Ollie Pope, not in a silly position but nearer than traditional cover. Pope leapt well but couldn't hold on. It was a difficult chance and would have been a tremendous catch, but England need something special to stick.
Forget Stokes's leg for now. He appears to be giving a lot of attention to his right pec/shoulder area. The captain is almost spending every minute that he isn't bowling tending to the area.
Early signs of low bounce as Stokes troubles Gill (who has just reached 700 runs in the series). It hardly got above ankle height from a short-ish length. However it was heading down the leg side and the appeal was half-hearted. Positive signs for England, though, that the pitch has demons to capitalise on. Stokes up at 87mph in that over.
And at the other end… it's Ben Stokes. The debate over whether or not he would bowl has lasted all of four minutes. England's Superman wants to fashion the Test in his image once more.
Liam Dawson will take the first over. Ollie Pope under the lid. Eight wickets required. Rishabh Pant on one leg and then into the all-rounders. Day five has begun.
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The draw at this ground in the 2023 Ashes was down to the weather. This Test has not been as wet as some predictions, but there could be a few minor delays today. The BBC is showing small percentages of possible rain between now and 3pm, with noon (31 per cent) the highest figure. So that's not washout territory, but one or two bouts could assist India in saving the game.
This has been one of those matches that could soon be known as Stokes's Test — but that would probably require another match-winning performance with the ball today. Will he bowl at all? After a five-for and a century — emulating Tony Greig, Ian Botham and Gus Atkinson — the captain was absent throughout yesterday's 63 overs of toil.
England said last night they would 'wait and see' if he banishes the stiffness and soreness of his gargantuan efforts. With the fifth Test starting on Thursday, one wonders if, should England take a 3-1 lead, they give Stokes a rest ahead of this winter's Ashes.
Morning everyone. Be honest: who thought we would have a fifth day for every Test? When Chris Woakes reduced India to 0-2 yesterday, England will have hoped to have today off (don't mention golf — I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it). Then KL Rahul and Shubman Gill dug in.
Trailing by 137, India are unlikely to reach a score that yields a dangled carrot of a chase, but maybe they wouldn't be content with a draw (only the second of the Bazball era, again at Old Trafford). England will be able to call upon the new ball from about 12.15pm, which will be their chance to turn the tide.
Good morning and welcome to The Times' live coverage of the final day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. England need eight wickets to clinch a series win, but India's fourth-day resistance — led by Shubman Gill and KL Rahul — has set up a fascinating finale. Elgan Alderman is at the ground and will be bringing us analysis and reaction throughout the day.