Latest news with #IndiaVsEngland
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
England in driving seat as India reach 204-6 in 5th Test
England gained the upper hand after a rain-hit first day of the final Test against India at The Oval on Thursday as the tourists, needing victory to square the series, battled to 204-6, with all their big guns dismissed cheaply. England had to work hard for their breakthroughs and will be delighted to have got rid of KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill, the men who have tormented them throughout the summer, though captain Gill gifted his wicket with a suicidal run-out. Even though there are four days remaining, India's chances of fighting their way into a position where they could force a victory already look extremely slim. The overcast morning conditions had looked ideal for England's all-seam attack, even without injured captain Ben Stokes, but they lacked a cutting edge. Recalled Gus Atkinson trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for two as stand-in captain Ollie Pope finally got on the right side of a DRS review after 14 unsuccessful appeals last year. Rahul, with over 500 runs to his name from the first four matches, looked relatively untroubled before playing-on to Chris Woakes for 14 as India reached lunch on 72-2. Gill, averaging over 90 and with four centuries to his name in the series, then inexplicably set off for a non-existent single and was run out by four yards as bowler Atkinson had time to transfer the ball to his right hand before throwing down the stumps. Gill had started the day with all sorts of records in his sights but, by adding only 21, he achieved only a couple as his tally of 743 took him beyond West Indies' Garfield Sobers (722 in 1966) as the highest-scoring visiting captain and also moved him into the top nine for the most runs scored in a series in England - either for or against the hosts. After a rain-delayed restart, a wayward Josh Tongue, whose first over lasted nine balls and went for 12 runs, finally found his line to nip the edge of Sai Sudharsan's bat to dismiss him for 38. Tongue repeated the feat soon afterwards to remove Jadeja – who scored a superb unbeaten century in his team's rearguard action in the fourth Test - for nine and India were reeling on 123-5 with their big-hitters all gone, or in the case of Rishabh Pant, absent through injury. Dhruv Jurel, a ball after overturning an lbw decision against him, then got tucked up by Atkinson and was caught neatly at second slip by Harry Brook for 19. Karun Nair batted calmly to finish on 52 not out and Washington Sundar, another centurion last Sunday, was on 19 at the close as the impressive Atkinson finished the day with figures of two for 31 off 19 overs. It was a less enjoyable day for Woakes, who suffered a serious-looking shoulder injury after falling heavily as he dived to try to prevent a boundary in the final overs.
The Independent
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
England fail to make the most of the conditions after winning toss in decider
England's revamped attack had a hit-and-miss first morning in their decisive fifth Test against India, with the tourists 72 for two at lunch. Without the injured Ben Stokes – captain and leading wicket-taker in the series – as well as the rested Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, the hosts relied on a new-look lineup at the Kia Oval. Gus Atkinson started well on his comeback from a hamstring problem, removing Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw in his second over with the new ball, and the ever-present Chris Woakes persuaded KL Rahul to drag down his stumps. But, after Stokes' stand-in Ollie Pope continued England's 100 per cent record at the toss, the hosts did not make the most of the cloudy conditions and good carry. Josh Tongue, who took 11 wickets in the first two games of the series, could not find his radar at all, conceding 11 runs in wides across five scattershot overs. Jamie Overton, earning a second cap three years on from his debut, also struggled for rhythm and sent down some wayward balls that let the Indian batters off the hook. The interval was taken eight minutes early as rain arrived, with Sai Sudharsan settling well on 25 not out and the prolific Shubman Gill unbeaten on 15. Atkinson, who has not featured since the Zimbabwe Test in May, was the pick of the bowlers with a sharp and well-directed spell that saw him concede just seven runs in six overs. He also got the better of Jaiswal, nipping the ball back into his front and winning the decision after a DRS review.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ben Stokes ruled OUT of fifth Test against India as Ollie Pope steps up to captain England at the Oval... with hosts making three changes to bowling attack
Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the decisive final Test of the summer with a torn shoulder muscle. Stokes, 34, is one of four changes against India at The Oval as fatigue catches up with the England team at the end of a five match series. England's talismanic leader suffered a grade three tear during the drawn fourth Test in Manchester, scans revealed. Fast bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse also miss out to protect their fitness ahead of the Ashes. While spinner Liam Dawson has been omitted following a first Test appearance in eight years last week. In come three fresh seamers in Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue while spin bowling all rounder Jacob Bethell is also recalled. The series comes to its conclusion with the contest still in the balance, as England take a 2-1 lead to south London.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tensions, Stokes' fitness, Bumrah dilemma – talking points ahead of fifth Test
England's gripping Test series against India concludes at the Kia Oval this week, with the hosts holding a 2-1 lead. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key issues ahead of the fifth match. Will tensions spill over? Relations between the sides have become increasingly strained, with a time-wasting spat at Lord's, some overly aggressive send-offs, plenty of sledging and the handshake row at Old Trafford. With just three days between games there has barely been a chance for cooler heads to prevail, and another highly charged contest must be expected. The team that channels their emotions best in the finale could claim an important edge. Can Stokes hold it together? England skipper Ben Stokes has had a wonderful series, including player-of-the-match performances in each of the last two games. But it is no secret that his body is creaking under the weight of his workload. He has already sent down 140 overs and faced almost 600 balls, with bouts of cramp and concerns over his knee, calf and bicep. It is almost four months until the start of the Ashes but the one thing England cannot countenance is their captain breaking down. Will anyone be able to stop him pushing himself too far? Bumrah to go fourth? India tied their hands unnecessarily at the start of the tour by repeatedly committing to the idea that the world's number one bowler Jasprit Bumrah would only play three Tests. The rationale, to prevent exaggerating existing back issues, was sound but the policy was always too rigid. Now they find themselves in a must-win situation with Bumrah's allocation already used. The temptation to bust their own guidelines will surely win out. If it does not, England's batters will be the ones breathing a sigh of relief. One and done for Dawson? Shoaib Bashir's broken finger led to a recall for Liam Dawson, eight years after his previous Test outing. The Hampshire stalwart struck early in the first innings but did not bag another wicket, leaving him with just one success in 62 overs. He was tidy but toothless for long spells and England may conclude that they are better loading the attack with pace and relying on Joe Root for occasional bouts of spin. It is a combination that some favour for Australia and now could be the chance to take a look. Will the bowlers finally have their day? The combination of unresponsive balls and flat pitches has made for a run-fest this summer, with all four matches going the distance as bowlers toiled away for long, taxing spells. In all there have been 18 centuries and a further 22 fifties. Might the Kia Oval finally offer a plot twist, with ball getting the better of bat? Surrey have been known to prepare greener surfaces and there is a steady pattern of teams bowling first to exploit early movement. Neither side have suffered a batting meltdown yet but the conditions for a collapse could come together in south London.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tensions, Stokes' fitness, Bumrah dilemma – talking points ahead of fifth Test
England's gripping Test series against India concludes at the Kia Oval this week, with the hosts holding a 2-1 lead. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key issues ahead of the fifth match. Will tensions spill over? Relations between the sides have become increasingly strained, with a time-wasting spat at Lord's, some overly aggressive send-offs, plenty of sledging and the handshake row at Old Trafford. With just three days between games there has barely been a chance for cooler heads to prevail, and another highly charged contest must be expected. The team that channels their emotions best in the finale could claim an important edge. Can Stokes hold it together? England skipper Ben Stokes has had a wonderful series, including player-of-the-match performances in each of the last two games. But it is no secret that his body is creaking under the weight of his workload. He has already sent down 140 overs and faced almost 600 balls, with bouts of cramp and concerns over his knee, calf and bicep. It is almost four months until the start of the Ashes but the one thing England cannot countenance is their captain breaking down. Will anyone be able to stop him pushing himself too far? Bumrah to go fourth? India tied their hands unnecessarily at the start of the tour by repeatedly committing to the idea that the world's number one bowler Jasprit Bumrah would only play three Tests. The rationale, to prevent exaggerating existing back issues, was sound but the policy was always too rigid. Now they find themselves in a must-win situation with Bumrah's allocation already used. The temptation to bust their own guidelines will surely win out. If it does not, England's batters will be the ones breathing a sigh of relief. One and done for Dawson? Shoaib Bashir's broken finger led to a recall for Liam Dawson, eight years after his previous Test outing. The Hampshire stalwart struck early in the first innings but did not bag another wicket, leaving him with just one success in 62 overs. He was tidy but toothless for long spells and England may conclude that they are better loading the attack with pace and relying on Joe Root for occasional bouts of spin. It is a combination that some favour for Australia and now could be the chance to take a look. Will the bowlers finally have their day? The combination of unresponsive balls and flat pitches has made for a run-fest this summer, with all four matches going the distance as bowlers toiled away for long, taxing spells. In all there have been 18 centuries and a further 22 fifties. Might the Kia Oval finally offer a plot twist, with ball getting the better of bat? Surrey have been known to prepare greener surfaces and there is a steady pattern of teams bowling first to exploit early movement. Neither side have suffered a batting meltdown yet but the conditions for a collapse could come together in south London.
