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Reuters
20 minutes ago
- Sport
- Reuters
India 72-2 at lunch v England on first day of key final test
LONDON, July 31 (Reuters) - India negotiated an awkward first morning of the final test against England at the Oval relatively smoothly on Thursday, reaching 72-2 at lunch as the hosts, leading the series 2-1, failed to take full advantage of overcast conditions ideal for their all-seam attack. England's bowlers, without injured captain Ben Stokes or rested paceman Jofra Archer, ran in hard enough and extracted some good bounce from what has been a very batter-friendly wicket this season, but generally lacked a cutting edge. Recalled Gus Atkinson was England's liveliest bowler and he struck in the fifth over as Yashasvi Jasiwal was beaten by a ball that cut back sharply and thudded into his pad. It was given not out but Ollie Pope, in as captain in place of Stokes and who had a remarkable 14 unsuccessful reviews when leading the team last year, finally got one right as DRS overturned the decision to dismiss the opener for two. KL Rahul, with over 500 runs to his name from the first four matches, looked relatively untroubled before trying to cut a ball from Chris Woakes that was too close to his body and succeeded only in playing on to depart for 14. At 38-2, England and a packed Oval crowd sensed an opportunity but, with some weak sunshine replacing the dark clouds, things started to look more comfortable for the tourists, who need a victory to square the series. India's number three Sai Sudharsan was very watchful in the first hour but started to time the ball nicely and was unbeaten on 25. Captain Shubman Gill, averaging over 90 for the series and probably key to India's hopes, was not out on 15 when the players went off for an early lunch after a shower arrived.
Times of Oman
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Road to Gavaskar: KL Rahul chases legend's SENA greatness amid purple patch in England
London: Indian opener KL Rahul would be aiming to make history during the final Test against England at The Oval in London, as he is just 32 runs short of overtaking the India great's record of most runs by an Indian opener during the course of a South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia (SENA) series. KL, playing a role of an opener and an elderly, wise statesman, within a team full of youngsters and a team with some players with experience level as much or more than him, will be aiming to continue this career-defining series going at the venue where he has some fond memories, having smashed 149 back in 2018, during a chase of 464 runs, though his team fell 118 runs short despite his brilliant partnership with Rishabh Pant, who also struck a magnificent ton. In the series so far, KL has been the second-highest run-getter overall, with 511 runs in eight innings across four matches at an average of 63.87, with two centuries and two fifties. His best score is 137. In the previous Test at Old Trafford, he had played solid knocks of 46 and 90, with the latter helping India draw the match. If KL scores 32 more runs, he will overtake Gavaskar's tally of 542 runs in four matches and seven innings at an average of 77.42, with a century and four fifties, best score of 221, which came during the tour of England way back in 1979. Also, so far in the series, KL has scored one fifty-plus score in every match, and the right-hander would like his purple patch to continue. Another fifty-plus score would help him match with Gavaskar's five fifty-plus scores (a century and four fifties during the 1979 England tour) and Murali Vijay's five fifty-plus scores (a century and four fifties against Australia back in 2014) as the joint-most fifty-plus scores by an Indian during a SENA series. KL's superior century count will give him an edge. If KL manages to score a century, he will become the first-ever Indian opener with three centuries in England. KL has a fine record in England, scoring 1,125 runs at an average of 43.26, with four centuries and three fifties in 26 innings and a best score of 149. One more century will take him close to Gavaskar's count of eight centuries in SENA as an opener, giving him seven centuries as an opener in these tough conditions. KL is also just 45 runs away from outclassing Gavaskar (1,152 runs in 15 Tests and 28 innings at an average of 41.14, with two centuries and eight fifties) to become the Indian opener with the highest amount of runs in England, currently sitting at 1,108 runs in 12 Tests and 24 innings at an average of 46.16, with four centuries and three fifties.
The National
3 days ago
- Sport
- The National
India's Manchester Test rescue act has rattled England in more ways than one
A fascinating series in which both teams have refused to concede an inch witnessed one of the finest rescue acts in recent times as India displayed extraordinary determination to bat out five sessions and draw the fourth Test in Manchester after being 0-2 and trailing by 311 runs. That India managed to save the Test is a remarkable achievement as they played most of it with 10 batters after Rishabh Pant broke his foot during the match. England would have anticipated a quick finish to the match when India lost wickets off successive balls without a run on the board on Saturday. But their batters were not going to give up, no matter how dire the situation. The fight shown by the lower order in the heartbreaking Lord's Test defeat galvanised the frontline batters in the hour of need at Old Trafford. India batted 143 overs on days four and five to save the match and keep the series alive heading into the last Test at The Oval. KL Rahul (90) and captain Shubman Gill (103) bore the brunt of the early England storm, facing more than 200 deliveries each to take the sting out of the home team's attack. Then, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar guarded the gates until the final hour of the match, thwarting every attack with the composure and technique of top tier Test batters. The pitch had more than enough spite to keep the batters in check. The ball that got Rahul lbw stayed low by a foot, while Gill was hit on the body by deliveries that spat at him. The spinners also had enough rough to work with; both Liam Dawson and Joe Root got the ball to spin sharply and stay low. But Jadeja and Sundar did not give up. As the final hour of the Test began, and with both Sundar and Jadeja approaching thoroughly deserved centuries, England captain Ben Stokes offered an early draw. Both batters refused and batted for an additional five overs to reach their centuries. A perfect reward for an incredibly hard day at the office. But England and Stokes did not see it that way. Stokes was miffed at India's refusal to accept a draw when he offered it. Then, as some sort of protest, he got Harry Brook to bowl who dished out club-level deliveries. It was a draining day and by the end of it, England were rattled. Stokes and his England teammates had a go at the Indian all-rounders for wanting to score a century. After the match, Stokes extolled the virtues of a well-earned 80 not out instead of a century. 'I don't think there would have been much more satisfaction in walking off 100 not out, getting your team off in a tricky situation, than walking off at 80 or 90 not out,' the England captain said. Stokes lecturing the opposition batters - one of whom was aiming for his maiden Test ton - about how they should feel about their accomplishments and milestones was incredulous to watch. India were well within their rights to not only chase milestones but also keep England bowlers on the field for as long as possible, since the fifth Test begins in just three days and extra miles in the legs of the bowlers would mean advantage India. Just like England's openers were well within their rights to delay taking strike in the Lord's Test and use time wasting tactics. But England's reaction and antics at the end showed a palpable frustration had snuck into a team that was within touching distance of a 3-1 series lead in Manchester. England had their moments earlier in the innings, none more so than when Jadeja was dropped by Joe Root at slip first ball. But the match somehow slipped past them. Stokes had pushed his body to breaking point, nursing a hurt hamstring and shoulder to get the team over the finish line, and then possibly take a well-deserved break; England's bowlers were running on fumes after being on the field for 250 overs. All of which possibly contributed to England throwing a hissy fit at the end. India, meanwhile, go in the final Test knowing they have one of their most in-form batting line-ups in recent memory which also fights right until the end. They also know England's main fast bowlers have run out of gas after playing successive Tests and the home team will now have to rely on second or third choice bowlers. India too will have to manage without Jasprit Bumrah and or Mohammad Siraj. But they have been doing so almost the entire tour. All they need now is to get four fully fit bowlers, including wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, and then see who is standing at the end of it all. All four Tests have gone deep into the fifth day and the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has become a Test of endurance. England looked ragged by the end of the penultimate bout. If India somehow manage to select the best playing XI, which they have failed to do in four Tests, the series can still end in a 2-2 draw. And that, in many ways, would be the perfect result for two teams who may have their flaws but have not given up at any stage across 20 days of absorbing cricket.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
How Ben Stokes should prepare for the Oval Test and my pick from each team in a dream XI: BUMBLE AT THE TEST
England found it hard-going on the final day of the fourth Test against India, toiling away but failing to find the wickets needed to win the game. They had been in a dominant position after restricting their visitors to 0/2 in the first over of the final innings, but some stern resistance ensured India go into the final Test with the hope of saving the series. There were still plenty of talking points from the final day, however. One was Ben Stokes battling through with the ball, having made a century and then carrying out long bowling spells despite potential injury issues. Then there was a discussion of the two attacks, with both teams starting to tire with one game still to go. So, for the final time this week, our man David Lloyd was at Old Trafford to dissect all the big talking points, from Stokes' fitness, to India's star, and a throwback to an action of an India great. Mail Sport presents the latest edition of BUMBLE ON THE TEST. Ben battling through Watching Ben Stokes bowl in the morning session was painful. If he were a racehorse, he'd have been sent to the knacker's yard because it looked like he was falling to bits, holding his shoulder and grimacing with every delivery. Somehow, though, he just kept going and got the wicket of KL Rahul. He really is a remarkable cricketer and England will now need to patch him up for the Oval. Shubman the superstar Shubman Gill confirmed he is going to be an absolute superstar and a new hero for India at No 4, following in the footsteps of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Like all the greats, he seems to have so much time. My only worry for him is whether the captaincy will eventually weigh him down. There is no sign of that in this series, but if you've got a player as good as that, why not just let him bat? I'll stick with Jadeja I got asked in the pub the other day: who would you choose if you could have only one player from each team? Gill, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah are all candidates for India, but I am having Ravindra Jadeja. He is in the game all the time and an absolute sticker with the bat, as he showed against yesterday. For England, I am going for Stokes over Joe Root. Sachin's masterclass India's resolute batting on Sunday made me think of watching them practise years ago at Old Trafford. Tendulkar stayed behind in the nets with a coach and played purely defensive shots. His little game was to try and drop the ball dead without it hitting the side of the net, something you can only do with soft hands. It is a real skill and India are masters of it. Give bowlers a break Bowlers of both teams have flogged themselves to a standstill on a pitch that has been an absolute back breaker. When Bumrah, the best bowler in the world, can't get a jot out of it, you know it's a grueller. Talk is that the Oval will have more grass on it and the bowlers are going to need it. Both teams will also have to change their attacks because they look absolutely knackered. The kids were all right Walking round the ground, I noticed many young children playing impromptu games of cricket. It was marvellous how they just organised themselves. But it did make me think how grounds should set aside a designated area for children to go and play, with community coaches looking after it. A day at a Test is a long time for kids to sit through, so give them a space to have a bat and a bowl. Old (lady) Trafford! I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting my Bumble's Legends Lounge at Old Trafford. There were no casualties, but there was one misdemeanour when a patron flatly refused to move out of a seat which was designated to someone else. Some colourful language ensued, but we dealt with it in a very diplomatic manner as the culprit was well into her 80s. We delicately defused the situation by offering her another stiff gin and tonic.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Ben Stokes enjoying ‘high quality' games between England and India despite draw
Ben Stokes praised a showing of 'high-quality cricket' between England and India as the fourth Test ended in a draw. England reached 669 in their first innings before the game fizzled out, with India closing the day on 425 for four. KL Rahul fell for 90 before Jofra Archer then dismissed Shubman Gill for 103 and Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar both scored tons. Stokes hailed the quality of the Test, telling Sky Sports: 'I thought Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett's opening partnership was incredibly crucial in the way we could sort of lay the foundations for the game. 'The opening partnership, the way they took the Indian attack on, the rate they were managing to score at it sort of allowed us to go, 'right we're going to try and bat once' and look to hopefully bowl India out. 'It started great yesterday with two wickets in the first over, but it was one of those wickets where if you got in, you felt like you were going to be the one to make the mistake to get out. 'It's been a back-and-forth series so far, we've been throwing punches and India have been throwing punches back at us, it's just been real high-quality cricket – two very good teams. 'Got to give credit to the way India came out here and performed under the pressure they were.' With the game destined for a draw, the final stages of the match saw India's batters electing against shaking hands with 15 overs left. Jadeja and Sundar scored hundreds before shaking hands and Stokes revealed he offered to shake with the aim of protecting his bowling attack. 'I think all the hard work was done by India, they both played incredibly well,' Stokes added. 'It got to that point where there was obviously only one result and there was no chance I was going to risk any of my big, fast bowlers for injuries with one more game to go. '(Liam Dawson) has bowled so many overs this game, his body started to get a little bit tired and cramp up in the legs. 'I wasn't risking any of my frontline bowlers for that last half-an-hour.' Stokes appeared to be troubled by his left leg and a problem in his right shoulder, and admitted he was 'pretty sore'. 'It's been a big five or six weeks,' he said. 'I'll always try and give everything that I possibly can. Try and run through a brick wall. 'I ask the guys up there to run through a brick wall for the team. I'll always try and do the same to try and lead by example in that sense. ' Bowling, being out in the field all that kind of stuff it is tough work, but pretty sore.' When asked specifically about his shoulder, he added: 'It's just a workload thing, got through a fair few amount of overs and just everything starts creeping up on you. 'I'll keep trying, keep going. As I always say to all the bowlers, pain is only an emotion.'
