Thrilling England-India finale attracts a million viewers
England needed 35 runs on Monday morning to win the Test and the five-match series; India required four wickets to prevail in south London and secure an overall draw. It reached a thrilling denouement inside the first hour, including Chris Woakes scampering between the wickets with his arm in a sling, before an inspired Mohammed Siraj clinched victory for the visiting team.
A usual weekday session of non-Ashes cricket attracts about half a million viewers but Sky, which showed the finale live across both their Main Event and Cricket channels, attracted twice that. Viewing figures generally peak at weekends but a thrilling climax at the end of a brilliant series brought far higher numbers than usual.
As well as a surge in viewers on Monday morning, almost 1.5million watched across the Sky channels on Sunday — day four of the Test, when England continued their attempted record 374-run chase. Video clips of the winning moment and immediate post-match interviews have since been viewed close to two million times across social media platforms.
Brendon McCullum, the England head coach, meanwhile dismissed concerns over the intensity of the Test schedule, insisting that the demands of five matches in a little more than six weeks have highlighted the players with strong character and resilience.
'I think the scheduling is fine,' he said. 'It's kind of what you want — those tired bodies working out who is tough and who is more of a frontrunner. That is ultimately what can separate teams down the stretch.'
McCullum pointed to India's Siraj as a prime example of the kind of fortitude demanded by such a gruelling run of fixtures. 'I go back to Siraj — I thought he was unbelievably impressive,' he said. 'Five Test matches, to be bowling 90mph in his 30th over as one of three seamers bowling your team to a win. Those are the characters you are desperate to have.'
McCullum, who has championed a high-octane, fearless and tough approach to Test cricket, believes England are fortunate to have similar figures in their own ranks who have been able to cope with the demands of the brutal schedule.
'We have a few of them, which we are very lucky to have,' he said. 'I don't mind that it challenges us physically. That's what makes it such a great game. Everyone is tired. Five Tests is tough. Especially the last two as back-to-back Tests. It has been tough but they wouldn't change it for the world.
'They have thoroughly enjoyed the contest, playing a good side who have been well supported right throughout England and around the world. It's a privilege to be in the position that our guys are in and no one takes that for granted. Yes, you are tired, but you are trying to get the last bit of strength out of yourself to perform.'
The sight of Woakes, who suffered a dislocated shoulder on the first day of the Test, going out to bat on Monday morning with his left arm in a sling to try to help England win the series was the epitome of that toughness, McCullum believes.
'Woakesy came to me in the first innings and said, 'Do you want me to bat?' I said [no], it was fine! It was within 24 hours of [his injury] happening and he was in an immense amount of pain. He came to us on Sunday night [during the second innings] and said, 'If it gets down to it, I am ready to go.' Again, it's what you want from our players.
'This game is hard and takes us to some tough places, challenging us mentally and physically. To still want to go out and do your best for your country is what these guys are desperate to show. I thought Woakesy was really brave to do that. You could see running between the wickets how much pain he was in.
'I thought we might have a fairytale, where we needed two to win and he was on strike and found a way. But it wasn't to be. We hope the injury is not too bad but we will have to work that out over the next week or so. He's been a huge member of this side and played five Tests here, putting himself through it. To do the injury the way he did [diving to save a boundary] sums up the guy, he's all in and gives everything for the team.'
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