Andy Bull on Dan Lawrence
Day four report
India need 381 further runs to win; England nine wickets. On the evidence of that brief session, the latter is far more likely with the pitch giving plenty of assistance to the spinners in particular. As the television coverage comes to an end at Chennai, we see a shot of Kohli on the field in his full kit doing a bit of shadow batting - all eyes will be on him tomorrow. All told, another excellent day with the final stanza set up nicely - as so many Tests have been so far in 2021. Thanks for your company; I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye!
Updated
STUMPS: India 39-1
13th over: India 39-1 (Gill 15, Pujara 12). Target 420. Ohh, Bess finds that perfect spot at Gill early in the over, turning sharply towards his leg stump, the opener just up to the task. He gets himself off strike from the fourth delivery with a single to midwicket. Pujara’s turn, two balls to negotiate to get through to morning five. Oh, and he gives the strike back via a compact pull off his stumps behind square. Final ball of the day and Gill knocks it on the head. Stumps!
12th over: India 37-1 (Gill 14, Pujara 11). Target 420. Leach plays his part here, skipping through his over in about two minutes at Pujara. The Indian No3 plays it well too, using his feet again to defend then jumping back to cut the inevitable shorter delivery, collecting two.
11th over: India 35-1 (Gill 14, Pujara 9). Target 420. Bess on for Anderson, hoping to get three in before stumps rather than two. Pujara does just what you would anticipate if having watched him against Lyon over the years, using his feet to help in order to take short leg out of the equation. As CricViz have shown with their pitchmap data, nobody is more effective when dancing at finger spin than Pujara, it’s just that he uses his feet to defend rather than score.
10th over: India 34-1 (Gill 14, Pujara 8). Target 420. Good scrap this between Leach and Gill, the former bowling with real confidence with his name already in the book. We get a proper bit of analysis of the Rohit dismissal via Nick Knight, who shows how he was set up through a number of similarly-pitched deliveries that went on with the arm before the big-turning stock delivery. Classy stuff.
“Surely the last player in an England-India series who looked so
nailed-on for 10,000 Test runs was... Haseeb Hameed?” Eeek. Thanks, Mike Jakeman. He’ll be back. As for Gill, he’s very much here now. Robert Lewis has some thoughts of my use of language in relation to the same post, and he’s almost certainly correct.
“Thanks for the wonderful coverage. Interesting use of the phrase “rusted on” in Over 3. I think we would say “nailed on”. Probably an Aussieism? Whenever I hear people say “home and hosed” these days, which has crept into Brit usage, it reminds me of hot days in the Sydney of my student days. We used to say “home and dry” once upon a time. Is that a case of global warming?”
9th over: India 34-1 (Gill 14, Pujara 8). Target 420. Anderson to Pujara, the most important contest left on this busy fourth day. Ooh, and he finds the inside edge early in the over too, albeit not in the direction of Pope under the lid at short leg. He’s yet to really go for the big outswinger, but I’m sure he’ll try it on before stumps.
8th over: India 34-1 (Gill 14, Pujara 8). Target 420. Leach, the man most likely, to Pujara. But he’s too straight and Pujara helps himself to a couple behind square then another behind point when the spinner overcorrects. Better to Gill, who wants to score but can’t.
“My Andalusian beloved recoiled in horror yesterday when I imparted the merits of a weekend fry up,” reports Kam Sangha in Seville. “Eggs on toast is not breakfast. Nor mushrooms or beans. In the two months of our courtship she has fostered a quiet, unassuming understanding of her Indian boyfriend’s passion for a sport more or less alien than the Great British Fry Up. Her long standing interest in the country of my roots means I can tell her about my visit to Tamil Nadu and it’s extraordinary temples. It is this kind of profound cultural exchange - the history of flamenco on her part - that allows me to prop the laptop, knowing full well a swollen ankle after a morning run along the Guadalquivir river is not the sole reason for intercultural understanding. Vamos!”
7th over: India 31-1 (Gill 14, Pujara 5). Target 420. Right, so it is Jimmy on for Archer now that Pujara is out there. He gets a look at him almost straight away after Gill turns a single but the No3 does likewise. Gill is solid in defence for the rest. Five overs until stumps.
6th over: India 29-1 (Gill 13, Pujara 4). Target 420. Puraja straight into his work, putting away a short one from Leach, carved past point. Statement of the obvious: he needs to be there overnight.
A point of clarification from an earlier topic via Nicholas Clark, which does ring a bell now that I read his email. “The laws were clarified about this. Off side is set when the ball becomes live, eg when the bowler starts their run up anything after that doesn’t matter. It does open up the option of a right hander starting left handed to prevent getting out via their typical off side though.”
And a question from Ian Copestake I want answered too! “Morning, Adam and all. Asking for a non-TV watching, German-based friend, but are there highlight packages on youtube? The Big Bash had plenty up regularly and the coverage of the Sri Lanka series was duly covered. But not a sausage as far as I can see from Channel 4.”
WICKET! Rohit b Leach 12 (India 25-1)
Just what England needed: the early wicket. Leach drifts in towards Rohit from around the wicket and turns it sharply with a big puff of dust, crashing into his off-stump. That’s right where he needs to be.
5th over: India 25-0 (Rohit 12, Gill 13). Target 420. That’s hurried Rohit up! He resisted the pull in Archer’s first over but goes at it here and isn’t too far away from top-edging into trouble - instead, it runs away for four. And he goes again! This time it’s the Rohit Sharma ODI special, rocking back and pulling high and handsome over square leg for SIX! It’s impossible not to love the way this Indian team go about their business; the belief and fight is compelling.
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4th over: India 12-0 (Rohit 0, Gill 12). Target 420. I’ve never seen a player more rusted on for 10,000 Test runs so soon in their career as Shubman Gill. His on-drive here is pristine, his glance just as effective. Back to back boundaries. The kid is a joy to watch.
3rd over: India 4-0 (Rohit 0, Gill 4). Target 420. Archer to Rohit is quite the Box Office stoush, no matter what colour the ball is. At pace, he’s happy to leave early on but then has a dash at one - playing and missing. That didn’t quite get up, though. Encouraging for Anderson, who will exploit this inconsistent bounce.
“First of all, your daughter is one of the cutest toddlers I’ve ever seen!” Thank you, Eva Maaten! We’re quite fond of her too! “Secondly, early exposure to anything seems spectacularly unhelpful in my experience - my by now 18 year old has politely resisted all attempts by her parents to enthuse her for cricket and Beethoven (her father) as well as Jane Austen and the piano (me). She has turned out a brilliant person with strong interests in many things, entirely discovered by herself. The process of exposure is fun for the parents, though, at least in the early years - it gets a bit frustrating once they hit their teens.”
By the sounds of things, I’ll need to be at peace with her rejecting the game. As long as she wants to hang out with me, I’ll be fine.
2nd over: India 4-0 (Rohit 0, Gill 4). Target 420. Leach it is with the new ball, which is fairly funky. I like it. As does Shubman Gill, who waits and waits before jumping back deep in the crease to flick through the vacant midwicket region for the first runs of the chase.
“The simple solution to slow over rates is to add 6 runs for every over not bowled in the time (with the overs still bowled in the day if possible),” writes Hugh Molley. “Money shouldn’t have anything to do with it. It’s an in-game thing.”
Yep, agreed it has to be in-game. Yet to see a perfect fix but someone will think of one and I’ll campaign for it relentlessly when they do.
1st over: India 0-0 (Rohit 0, Gill 0). Target 420. Archer gets the first over rather than Anderson - interesting. Good carry from a decent channel in and around the off-stump. Later in the maiden, Rohit wants to pull but thinks better of it when the short ball arrives.
Some quick correspondence before India light up their chase of 420. To begin, Abhijato Sensarma: “Staying at home because of the pandemic has formed a new habit for me - sleeping in the afternoon like a man who doesn’t have a thousand assignments to submit the next day. But this morning, I gave a personal interview for getting admission into my dream college - it went quite well. It’s also pumped up my adrenaline for the rest of the afternoon, supplemented by the anxiety of having to get a wisdom tooth extracted in the evening too. But going by the stoic way Buttler and Bess are batting, they might put me to sleep successfully!”
You’re a fine and passionate young man, Back yourself and play your shots.
Oh, the players are already back on. Archer to Rohit. PLAY!
Think of it this way. If talking to Joe Root when England were starting their third innings, he would have said that the ideal outcome is that they get an hour at India tonight with a 400+ lead. That’s what’s going to happen and his bowlers got a proper breather.
ENGLAND ALL-OUT 178! WICKET! Anderson c&b Ashwin 0.
Leading edge, Anderson gifts Ashwin an easy catch to claim his sixth wicket. He finishes with 17.3-2-61-6. A fine effort. Meanwhile, India need 420 for a most unlikely win. They’ll have about 105 overs.
WICKET! Archer b Ashwin 5 (England 178-9)
Bowled him. Too good. Ashwin picks up his 28th five-wicket bag in Test cricket. Sure, these haven’t been the most important wickets he’s taken but it means that the great thinker and twirler is very much in this series regardless of what happens tomorrow.
46th over: England 178-8 (Archer 5, Leach 8) Solid, Jacky boy. Nothing is getting through that defence. The lead is now 419, which, of course, means if India wins it’ll be a new record. And Leach, after getting the strike from Archer, is knocking Sundar on the head. If nothing else, I’m enjoying how mad everyone is getting!
45th over: England 177-8 (Archer 4, Leach 8) After a fair bit of activity over the last few overs, we’re back to the safe and steady approach, Archer taking a single down the ground and Leach defending the rest. Meanwhile, we’re entering hour four of declaration speculation on TV and I WANT TO BREAK FREE.
44th over: England 176-8 (Archer 3, Leach 8) Jack Leach giving back some of the treatment he copped when bowling yesterday, dancing and cracking Nadeem over midwicket for one boundary and enjoying it so much they he went again, albeit with a thick edge over slip the second time around. They all look the same in the book.
43rd over: England 167-8 (Archer 2, Leach 0) A wicket-maiden for Ashwin, who is well placed for a cheeky little five-for here.
WICKET! Bess lbw b Ashwin 25 (England 167-8)
Ahhh? Pad-bat is the call from the TV umpire, on the basis of one inconclusive snicko roll-through. Indeed, I thought ultra-edge provided more doubt than the front-on vision. Anyway, he’s out.
BESS IS GIVEN LBW TO ASHWIN. Smashed it, right? He reviews.
42nd over: England 167-7 (Bess 25, Archer 2) Archer won’t be volunteering his wicket given he’s on a pair. Indeed, he’s off the mark with a well-controlled sweep out to deep square leg.
“India’s best chase at Chennai” - a reminder courtesy of Prithvi Chandrasekhar. What a ridiculous final day that was.
WICKET! Buttler st Pant b Nadeem 24 (England 165-7)
This time Pant has enough time to get his gloves to Nadeem’s delivery after Buttler unsucessfully tries to pop him on the moon.
41st over: England 165-6 (Buttler 24, Bess 25) All cameras on the England rooms and... Root is back in his chair, not in his whites. Meanwhile back in the middle, Bess takes advantage of another drag down, opening up the offside to smash Ashwin away for four more.
“Evening Adam.” And to you, Kamal Mann. “Following the OBO in nearby Brunswick. Will crowds be permitted at the Commerical Club tomorrow for thrilling finale tomorrow? Also I made a trek to the IGA on Sydney Road (near Stewart Street) to stock up on Annas Ginger Thins biscuits - Sweden’s most loved pepparkaka! If Geoff or you need any special supplies let me know and happy to make a special dash on your behalf....I’ll classify it as a form of (cricket) community service - or Seva as the Sikhs would say.”
Look, we’ve never said no to gifts of food before! As to whether we end up at the Commercial Club again tomorrow night, stay tuned.
40th over: England 160-6 (Buttler 23, Bess 21) England’s lead moves beyond 400 with a pair of Bess boundaries, punching Nadeem through cover then sweeping him out to the midwicket rope. Nice. At the end of the over, Joe Root leaves the viewing area. To get changed? That would stand to reason, nearing the final hour.
“Surely Andrew Cosgrove’s 33rd over LBW conundrum applies to switch hits but not reverse ones - or is that too pedantic?” It’s a fair point, Geoff Wignall. One that will be looked at by the ICC, I think.
“Anyway coming late to the coverage on a wet, cold and windy Portuguese morning I’ve just been catching up with all the OBO love. May I just add that among its manifold merits and charms is that in contrast to the TV/ radio/ pub one is never at risk here of the loud mouthed boor (bore)?Anyway all the cricketing and media gods are to be thanked for it and all of those who provide it. So thanks.”
And to you. Lovely to be back on the tools with you all today.
39th over: England 152-6 (Buttler 23, Bess 13) Another no-ball from Ashwin - short enough for Buttler to lean back and smash away through point for four. Just a reminder that Ashwin bowled more than 20,000 deliveries in Tests before he was first called for a no-ball yesterday. To think how many he (and everyone else!) sent down in Test cricket over the last decade that weren’t being looked for. And I’m not blaming the central umpires for that either - it was a systemic failure, finally fixed. Oooh, much better later in the over with Buttler mnissing sweep. A big appeal for leg before is turned down and Kohli doesn’t review. Perhaps he should have? That pitched and hit in line. TV tells the story: that was out. Not to be.
38th over: England 147-6 (Buttler 19, Bess 13) Bess dances and swings and misses, but there’s so much turn and bounce that Pant can’t glove it to complete a stumping. Very positive signs for England’s spinners, who will get a crack on this beautiful orange track soon enough. As Gary Naylor pointed out earlier, it looks just as all Test pitches should at Chennai as we reach the final day. A maiden. England have added 14 from the last nine overs.
37th over: England 147-6 (Buttler 19, Bess 13) The recent pattern continues: Bess faces five of the six Ashwin deliveries and adds just a single. The lead is crawling towards 400, currently at 388.
The Indian perspective from Mittu in Hanumangarh. “If South Africa had chased down the 370 against Pakistan, I would have been happy about India’s chances -- not anymore. The (more than) speck of dust from the pitch must be weighing on Indian batsmen’s mind as well. India’s best chance would be to let England innings drag on and then play out whatever overs are left.” Gotta love an omen!
36th over: England 146-6 (Buttler 19, Bess 12) The challenge for England now is that Buttler isn’t seeing much strike. Here, against Ishant, he gives the baton back to Bess from the first ball and doesn’t see it again until the final delivery, which he has to play defensively.
“Hi Adam.” Hello to you, William Vignoles. “Lovely to have such an intriguing start to the series. I think the commentators are being a bit harsh to root and England here about the declaration. This is a stacked Indian team full of l players who can go at an incredible lick, and apart from Anderson, England’s bowlers are inexperienced in general and in these conditions. I think it’s fair to get the lead over 400. Having said that Bess padding away an over from Nadeem is a bit bleak. Loving the Dailies!”
Yep, I’m of a similar view - loads of time, no panic required. England’s bowlers put in a big shift and will have to do again tomorrow (and next week). 15 overs tonight? Feels right.
@collinsadam do you know if India will get points deducted for this horrible over rate?
— Bryan Hadden (@bryanhadden) February 8, 2021
They probably will. But I doubt they will care too much if it ultimately helps contribute to them not losing the Test.
35th over: England 144-6 (Buttler 18, Bess 11) Bess flicks a couple off Nadeem but there are five dots either side of the one scoring shot.
A nice one here from Ian Forth about First Tests. “My son Jamie was born in May 1997 and I vividly remember his first test being England’s victory in the first match of that summer’s Ashes which he seemed fascinated by as I dandled him. Years later, having emigrated to Melbourne, we saw Shane Warne’s 700th wicket together, Australia’s 98 all out and Alistair Cook’s record-breaking double century. I’d be tempted to spin a life lesson about the importance of early imprinting if it weren’t for the fact I read all 7 Harry Potters to him and he hasn’t read a book for 10 years.”
34th over: England 142-6 (Buttler 18, Bess 9) Nick Knight makes an obvious but an important point: India are perfectly happy taking as long as they want to bowl these overs, helped by an excellent Sundar stop on the rope that takes a number of replays to sort out. It’s not as if there’s much for the hosts to lose. So what if they get fined a paltry amount? Most of the team are millionaires times over; fines don’t work. WTC points aren’t a bad option - Australia lost four for their over rates against India at the MCG - but that isn’t punitive enough. In the last 40 minutes, TV tells me, they have bowled seven overs.
33rd over: England 137-6 (Buttler 17, Bess 5) “A lack of urgency from England,” says Mark Butcher, concluding they might want to give their bowlers a bit more time off before letting them rip for a second time. Jos does get his paddle sweep out and dances later in the over too, but there’s not a tremendous amount going on right now.
“Morning Adam, from a chilly (and slightly snow-clad) south London.” Morning to you, Andrew Cosgrove. Here’s to a good week with plenty of vaccinations up and down the country. “I was interesting to see your description of Pope’s dismissal being caught at short midwicket (and the previous shot going to cow corner). This speaks to the debate on whether a batsman playing a reverse shot can be given out LBW when being hit outside the line (is it his leg stump or his off stump?). But surely Pope was caught at cover, it only looked like midwicket because it was a reverse shot.”
You’re absolutely right - I’ve fallen into a bit of a trap there. In saying that, we’re going to see so much reverse/switch hitting over the next few years, maybe we’ll need a new naming convention?
32nd over: England 135-6 (Buttler 16, Bess 4) By my count, that’s two runs from the last three overs with Bess struggling to give the strike to Jos. Buttler will get a crack at Nadeem in just a moment, though.
Jonny Mills is with us from middle Earth! “Ciao Adam, I couldn’t agree more about the value of the work you all do. I’m currently digging archaeological test pits under a police station in Milan and have to jump out of the trench every few minutes to get a connection. Makes the damp and cold easier to bear although I’m not sure it would be simple to explain to a suspicious Carabiniere.”
Thanks for staying true. It’s going to be an exciting final day.
31st over: England 134-6 (Buttler 15, Bess 4) A maiden from Nadeem to Bess pours some more cold water on the declaration speculation.
“Morning/Evening Collo!” And to you, Sam Rhodes. Lovely to have you on the OBO, been enjoying The Final Word recaps a great deal - thanks very much for doing them!” Why, an excuse to plug my podcast? Thanks for listening - most kind. Geoff Lemon is joining me at the KGB safehouse I’m OBOing from to record as soon as stumps are pulled. We’re on youtube now too, don’t you know.
Interested on your thoughts on Australia potentially being in need of a new coach in the form of Bayliss. Are Langer’s days truly that numbered? I know it’s been a rough few weeks, and it feels like there’s more happening behind the scenes than the humble public know about, but I haven’t read anything really spelling out how hot his seat might be.”
I’m being mischevious - they won’t sack him. But don’t for a second be spun into believing that the stories last week didn’t have plenty to them. This wasn’t a single disgruntled civil servant situation - not even close. Fair to conclude that it’s a good time for them to be having a break from each other after a long time in the biobubble.
30th over: England 134-6 (Buttler 15, Bess 4) I’m fairly certain the only topic the television callers are permitted to discuss at this point of a third innings is the declaration. It’s the law. But dot balls from Bumrah to Simply Dom Bess suggests it isn’t going to be imminent.
29th over: England 133-6 (Buttler 15, Bess 3) Dom Bess is off the mark first ball, with a couple down to long-on. He’s looked good with the bat on this tour and he keeps the strike. The lead is 374.
From the ICC, their first players-of-the-month have been gonged:
“India’s Rishabh Pant won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for January 2021 for his performances in the two Tests against Australia where he scored a 97 at Sydney and an unbeaten 89 at Brisbane that led India to a historic series win against arch-rivals Australia. South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for January 2021 for her performances across three ODIs and two T20Is during the month. Ismail took seven wickets in the victorious ODI series against Pakistan, before taking five wickets in the second T20I against the same opposition.”
I was on the voting panel and voted for both, so no complaints.
WICKET! Pope b Rohit b Nadeem 28 (England 130-6)
Very Rainbow Rhythms from Pope, switch-hitting a pull out to the cow corner rope. But he tries it again and gets caught at short midwicket! A handy innings though, his 28 coming in just 32 balls.
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28th over: England 123-5 (Pope 22, Buttler 14) Pope gets a loosener from Bumrah to start the session, putting away a half-volley through cover. That’ll do nicely. Sure enough, the big quick is right back on his mark, decking in and shaping away from the right-hander at different points at the over, not allowing to do more than defend.
“Please tell my daughter Gwen that she really should be taking full advantage of living in a land of free cricket on tv,” says Finbar Anslow.
Gwen, your dad has helped to give you a great name. Go on, watch the cricket with him. It’ll be worth it in the long run. Promise.
The players are back on the field at Chennai. Bumrah to Pope. PLAY!
“Hi Adam.” Allo, Colum Fordham. “I think England probably need 50 odd more to feel comfortable with an Indian team of this calibre. Decisions regarding follow-ons will probably be out of their hands judging from this mini-collapse.”
I’d have a ten over dart at them tonight. Plenty of time.
Colum continues: “I saw a pic Yesterday of my four-year old nephew with a small plastic bat in his hand in front of Channel 4 coverage. Tried to inculcate a love of cricket in my two boys in Naples and they’re fond of it but not Test-match crazy like yours truly. Oh well, one does one’s best.”
I feel slightly guilty dragging my baby daughter in to the game, knowing what damage it can do to your body and brain. On the other hand, I wouldn’t have it any other way. So, she gets it too.
Phil Russell also has some thoughts on the declaration: “The Revised Common Book of Test Match Captaincy suggests this innings will end with the first of 1) 400 lead, 2) All out, 3) one hour of play left. Will be interesting to see if Root deviates from the orthodox path into something more heretical.”
I suspect he won’t. But it’s worth noting that Root nailed his declarations during the home summer through 2020. Fair play to him, he’s come a long way as a tactician over the last four years.
“Morning Adam.” It’s evening where I am in Melbourne, but I won’t bang on about that. Don’t worry, I’ll be back to the London lockdown with everyone else in a couple of weeks. “Explaining the OBO to partners and friends is much easier than it used to be pre Internet when the only thing to do was sit in front of the Ceefax score card waiting for the batman’s line to change colour signifying a wicket!”
Yes, we are a special breed. Penty on twitter also is sharing in the love. “The OBO is amazing as you (Collo et al) watch and summarise what is going on for others who cannot. I’m sitting here marking exams, radio is too distracting and TV too off-putting, but a quick occasional glance at the obo updates? THAT’S the sweet spot!”
Exactly that. Whenever I’m not wriring the OBO, invariably I’m reading on too. Especially when doing radio commentary, so to have a pretty good feel for how you’re all seeing it evolve from home.
Of course, there’s nobody who OBOs quite like Rob Smyth, who has kindly dropped into my DMs with this gem: “England’s scoring rate in Tests under Silverwood is almost the same as under Bayliss (3.22 to 3.25), but, unsurprisingly, the average runs per wicket has increased considerably, from 30.84 to 37.18. Shows the value of smarter cricket I suppose.”
Related/unrelated: I wonder if Bayliss is Australia’s next coach?
TEA: England 119-5 (leading by 360 runs)
27th over: England 119-5 (Pope 18, Buttler 14) Ishant is thrown to ball to complete the session after Nadeem’s brief misadventure from that end. We’re back to (some of the) the TV commentators talking themselves into a tea-time declaration. Surely not? The big quick is very good here, inswinger/outswinger/outswinger - Buttler is up to the task, picking the right deliveries to play at. And that is tea. A busy session with 118 runs and four wickets coming across 25 overs.
26th over: England 118-5 (Pope 17, Buttler 14) Bumrah gets another to shoot, this time at Buttler, but it was darting well down the legside. Buttler gets bat to ball the next time there’s one on his pads, clipping a couple. A fine reply from the Indian superstar, sending down a big outswinger to keep Jos honest. One more over before tea.
A word for the curator @collinsadam. This is a perfect pitch! Its rusty hue is exactly as it ought to be at Chennai (with a hint of Delhi's Red Fort conjured). It's offered something to every type of bowling and to batsmen willing to defend carefully or play positively. Superb!
— Gary Naylor (@garynaylor999) February 8, 2021
Yep, I agree. The pitch copped some grief on the opening day for being a tad on the slow side, but as you say, has developed nicely.
25th over: England 115-5 (Pope 16, Buttler 12) That’s BIIIIG from Universe Jos, leaping and launching Nadeem over long-off for SIX! What a strike. And cue the siren, he’s overstepped too. Inexcusable for a spinner - etc, etc. Buttler cuts a couple more behind point to keep the good times rolling. Ten off it, the lead advancing to 356.
“I just tried to explain the obo to my wife,” says Chris Lingwood. “‘So it’s just someone watching tv for you?’ she said. “I wish I was able to disagree.” A conversation we’ve all had at one stage of another. My partner still can’t come to terms with why it works, but as we know, there are few better companions on a Test Match day.
24th over: England 105-5 (Pope 15, Buttler 4) Ooh, very close to two in two, Buttler just getting down to Bumrah’s inswinging yorker, the inside edge spitting away to fine leg for four. It’s a batsman’s game.
WICKET! Root lbw b Bumrah 40 (England 101-5)
Root, after adding 40 in 32 balls, cops one that keeps low and jags back form Bumrah - there is no keeping that out. Of course, he’ll be frustrated to walk off the field but also well aware that it won’t be the last ball that misbehaves in this Test. England’s lead is 342.
23rd over: England 97-4 (Root 37, Pope 14) Declaration speculation on telly, verging on asserting that they should be pulling the pin already on account of what India were able to achieve in Sydney and Brisbane. I’m not so sure about that, fellas. England have earned the right to play this cool, and I’m sure they will do just that on a surface that’s going to go plenty tomorrow. Highlighting that point, Ashwin gets one to explode from the footmarks at Pope, the young man just keeping it away from Gill at short leg. Root then keeps the strike.
22nd over: England 95-4 (Root 36, Pope 13) Before the review there was yet another front-foot no-ball. They bowled 20 in the first innings and have already sent down four here, compared to just one from England across 95.5 overs. Worse still, it was off target and helped away to fine leg for four by Root. After the review, he feeds England’s numero uno short and wide outside the off-stump and he makes no mistake cutting it away behind point for four more.
“Morning @collinsadam,” Hello, Guy Hornsby. “What a Series this is already. I hope your little one is enjoying it as much as you. Been slowly indoctrinating my three-year-old this week, to the point where TV in the morning she comes with “is this cricket?” Answer: this very much is. Absorbing brilliance.”
Well answered - absorbing is the word. What a year we’re already having in the finest form of the game in 2021. An utter treat. As for Winnie, she’s trying to climb up my leg to bash the keyboard, as is her prerogative as she nears her first birthday on Sunday. Here she is yesterday, with a cricket ball/bat in hand for the first time.
NOT OUT! It’s a top bit of bowling, really hooping back at the England skipper and beating his inside edge, but it’s done too much.
IS ROOT LBW? Bumrah likes it, the umpire doesn’t. To the DRS!
21st over: England 86-4 (Root 28, Pope 13) There goes the NO-BALL KLAXON! One must describe it using capitals owing to the urgency in which it blasts through the television speakers. Wasn’t there a stat about Ashwin having never overstepped in Tests until this week? Well, he’s bowled four in this match. Yet further validation that the decision the ICC made to give the front line to the TV umpire was a sensible one. Back to Pope, who isn’t worried about his close call earlier in the over, dancing and launching high over midwicket - he doesn’t get it all, but does get three. He’s reversing again soon enough too, timing nicely out to backward point for a couple. He tries it on again to finish but doesn’t make contact. The lead is 327.
NOT OUT! That’s missed the blade and the glove, coming off his forearm. That’s what the DRS is there for; Pope survives.
IS POPE CAUGHT OFF THE GLOVE REVERSE SWEEPING? The umpire believes so and England’s No6 sends it upstairs. Stand by.
20th over: England 79-4 (Root 27, Pope 8) Shot, boy. Pope square drives against the Ishant inswing, making crisp contact through cover point for four. From there he’s clipping, past midwicket for a couple then again through square leg for one, albeit in the air and not far from the close catcher. A change to the field with Root on strike with three midwickets in position, but he’s not falling into any legside trap in this kind of touch. He has to negotiate one that swings away to finish, defending with soft hands. Classy bowling.
“So what is England’s goal?” asks Scott Wedel. “Some number of runs in a maximum of some number of overs?”
So long as they keep ticking over at a decent clip, and don’t get bowled out, I reckon they’ll have a dart at them tonight.
19th over: England 72-4 (Root 27, Pope 1) Sharp spin at Pope to begin, the Surrey lad lucky to bisect the two catching men in close on the legside. Ashwin is right on it here, the next ball going straight on and finding the outside portion of the blade. To finish, a controlled stroke to ease the nerves, off the mark on the sweep.
“Root is on fire in the heat of the sub continent,” says Dominic Humphrey. “What’s the record number of runs in a calendar year for a test bat?”
That’s Mohammad Yousuf back in 2006 when he struck 1788 of the best. Root had 664 coming into this innings with (by my quick count) 13 Tests to come in 2021. He should pass it easily.
WICKET! Stokes c Pant b Ashwin 7 (England 71-4)
Lovely bowling from Ashwin - extra flight, bringing Stokes forward and finding his outside edge. This Indian team don’t give up.
18th over: England 71-3 (Root 27, Stokes 7) Ishant Sharma, what a story. It’s not that his career was over four years ago, but he was on the brink of being entirely overtaken by the next generation. But since the age of 30, he’s been a different bowler. There are comparisons to Anderson there, albeit not on the same scale. None of that helps him here though, giving Ben Stokes one in the slot and he tucks straight in, lofting over long-on for four. The replay shows it’s a better shot than it first appears, taken on the up after Ishant rolled his fingers down the seam. That’s an authoratative start.
Thanks, Tanya. Lovely stuff. Hello, everyone. The Test, so it goes in this part of the world, is speeding up. But the fact that England lead by 305, with Root is batting like a dream, means the wickets column isn’t much of a issue. Not yet, anyway. This should be fun.
18th over: England 64-3 (Stokes 1, Root 26) Ashwin again and Root reverse-sweeps him for four, like spooning soft ice-cream into your mouth on a hot afternoon. Stokes off the mark with a leg-side single and that’s DRINKS. Adam Collins will guide you through the rest of what has been another absorbing day - thanks for all the emails and keeping me company through the small hours.
17th over: England 58-3 (Stokes 0, Root 21) The modestly brilliant Ishant is only the sixth bowler to pass 300 wickets for India. He looks thoroughly delighted by the achievement, and so he should. Stokes blocks his first ball and sways out of the way of his third. Not sure the Stokes/Root combination is going to be a great one for India - their lead almost 300.
Updated
WICKET! Lawrence lbw Ishant 18
Ishant’s 300th Test wicket! Only the third India seamer to do it after Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan. Lawrence reviews the decision in a way that shows he’s not lacking in confidence, Root’s face says he’s not convinced, and sure enough, there’s no bat involved. A fabulous full ball from Ishant that Lawrence drove at it and it beat his inside edge.
Updated
16th over: England 58-2 (Lawrence 18, Root 21) Kohli keeps faith with spin from the other end. Ooops! Root sweeps Ashwin for four to bring up the England fifty. A push through the offside for 3 and the lead rushes towards 300. Another swept boundary to finish - he is in glorious touch. The England batsmen are being warned for running on the pitch and that’s 13 from the over.
“With South Africa inching towards chasing 370 against Pakistan and West Indies managing the same against Bangladesh yesterday, I wouldn’t rule out the chance for an Indian victory if England are bowled out within about 130 more. With these big chases happening so often, has test cricket turned some kind of metaphorical corner here?” Mittu Choudhary, I think you’re right!
15th over: England 45-2 (Lawrence 16, Root 10) Root flicks a carefree single off Ishant as Ravi Shastri watches from the dug-out looking for all the world like an associate of Arthur Daley. Two from the over - and I fancy England to bat until half way through the evening session before towelling off Anderson and Leach for a final push.
“Just had a fossick on Statsguru,” types Ian Forth. “There are two precedents for a side scoring more than 578 and going on to lose. In quite possibly the finest Ashes match of them all, Australia scored 586 at Sydney in 1894 and England went on to win by 10 runs. Bangladesh meanwhile were 595/8 declared against the Kiwis 4 years ago, then 46-0 in their second innings - and still managed to lose by 7 wickets. Can England get the bronze medal?”
14th over: England 43-2 (Lawrence 15, Root 9) Sorry, really falling asleep at the wheel here, and the puppy has rewound the television. Note to self, put remote on high shelf. Anyway, Lawrence and Root are still there and Kohli has turned to his seamers, throwing the ball to Ishant Sharma for the first time in the innings.
12th over: England 41-2 (Lawrence 14, Root 8) Joe Root doesn’t hang around, he watches the ball from Nadeem, kneels, sweeps for four. Then again, with an even bigger stride forward. That empty boundary will soon be plugged. Root’s intent written all over his bat.
11th over: England32-2 (Lawrence 13, Root 0) Sibley had just swept Ashwin for four as well! Smart bowling from Ashwin.
WICKET! Sibley c Pujara b Ashwin 16
An inside edge onto his pad and a catch into the belly of Pujara at second slip.
Updated
10th over: England 26-1 (Lawrence 12, Sibley 12) Oof, Sibley prods at Nadeem’s final ball of the over (after the first final ball belatedly becomes the penultimate ball because of the no-ball klaxon) he’s beaten, might have got an edge, but Pant dropped it anyhow.
Morning Tanya. “Morning Rosanna Lynch!”
“Is it me or is Nadeem regularly using saliva on ths ball? He keeps licking his fingers like a guilty toddler?
Updated
9th over: England 23-1 (Lawrence 10, Sibley 11) THis is a nice little test for Lawrence, who thrives on confrontation. So far, so good.
8th over: England 20-1 (Lawrence 7, Sibley 11) An over from Nadeem safely sails by.
“Ambitions for a productive start to the week have been thwarted by OBO and waking up at 4, still at least it’s a great day of cricket - I’m sure my manager will understand.” ponders Dom H. Do power naps still exist in the post-pandemic world?
7th over: England 19-1 (Lawrence 6, Sibley 11) Lawrence stretches forwards to Ashwin and he persuades Kohli to review. Kohli’s body-languages says, “ OK then”. Nice falling ball, but the impact is outside the line and, to rub salt into the wound, Ashwin follows up with a no-ball.
6th over: England 16-1 (Lawrence 6, Sibley 2) A post-coffee torpour has entered the living room; I’ll start dribbling over the laptop in a minute. Sibley and Lawrence knock a few runs from Ashwin. The intensity of that pre-lunch two over session has dissipated.
5th over: England 10-1 (Lawrence 6, Sibley 2) A post-coffee torpour has entered the living room; I’ll start dribbling over the laptop in a minute. Sibley and Lawrence knock a few runs from Ashwin.
4th over: England 8-1 (Lawrence 5, Sibley 2) Nadeem resumes after lunch, neat little beard, longish dark hair on top. England rotate the strike with some well-taken singles.
Afternoon session
3rd over: England 5-1 (Lawrence 4, Sibley 0) Lawrence avoids the pair, wandering down the pitch and clipping Ashwin sweetly for four . He survives an lbw shout then one that skims the top of his stumps.
Updated
The players walk out - Cook thinks England need another 160 (to take them to 400) in three hours.
Just the 113 year gap.
Spinners getting a wicket off the first ball of an inngs
— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) February 8, 2021
Bert Vogler dismissed Tom Hayward SA v Eng Oval 1907
R Ashwin dismissed Rory Burns Ind v Eng Chennai 2020/21 *#INDvENG
Coffee is the Test match of drinks. Discuss. In the studio, a twinkly SirAlastair is explaining why surprise bounce is so much more difficult to play than spin. And an email, from Finbar Anslow, “Morning Tanya.Staying with the ‘E’s I would venture that Elitist would (alas) apply more to the players whereas the OBO (and cricket in general) is often for the Eccentric and, occasionally, Everyone.” Love it.
LUNCH
2nd over: England 1-1 (Lawrence 0, Sibley 0) Nadeem opens at the other end. Sharp turn for him too, and bubbling energy from the babble of close Indian fielders. Sibley inelegantly gets through and suddenly, after the inevitability of the morning, things are fizzing again. It’s lunch there and coffee time here. Don’t miss the second session - it’s alive!
Updated
1st over: England 0-1 (Lawrence 0, Sibley 0) Lawrence not being eased into his Test career, but survives the remaining five balls of the over. Superb first ball by Ashwin, bounce, turn and perfect placement.
WICKET! Burns c Rahane b Ashwin 0
Perfection! The very first ball ball bounces surprisingly and Burns is seduced forward. The edged is pounced on by Rahane. Kohli roars.
Just two overs for England to bat before lunch. Sir Alastair, “England have to get the tempo right which is easier said than done.” Burns and Sibley are in the middle and Ashwin has the ball.
ENGLAND HAVE NOT ENFORCED THE FOLLOW-ON AND LEAD BY 241
The medium roller makes its way to the middle and England’s openers pad up. A very pleasing morning for England and wonderful batting from Washington Sundar, who was picked for that Ashes tour on the back of only 12 first-class matches. Shades of David Warner.
From 62 on debut at the Gabba, that hook for six off Pat Cummins a the Gabba to reignite India's run chase and now this half-century, Washington Sundar already looks like a serious Test batsman
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) February 8, 2021
Updated
India 337 all out Sundar 85 not out.
95.5 overs: India 337 (Sundar 85 not out) Anderson proves to be not such easy fodder for Sundar. A back foot force, and he takes the single leaving Bumrah to survive two balls....mistake!
WICKET! Bumrah c Stokes b Anderson 0
An ungainly prod by Bumrah caught a tea leaf from the ground by the diving Stokes at slip.
Updated
95th over: India 336-9 (Sundar 84, Bumrah 0) India need 43 to avoid the follow-on. Root brings himself on. Sundar saucepans him past cover for four. A slog brings two more. Then a slammed lofted drive for 6 into the groundsman’s buckets takes him into the 80s. The watching Virat Kohli opens his eyes wide in admiration. A couple of dots before he steals the strike at the end of the over.
94th over: India 323-9 (Sundar 71, Bumrah 0) India need 57 to avoid the follow-on. Bumrah’s Test batting average is 2; Sundar needs to let fly for his century. and a chance of the follow-on. Fantastic ball from Anderson.
WICKET! Ishant c Pope b Anderson 4
Anderson’s first wicket of the match! A short ball that rises on Ishant and he fends it away to the safe hands of Ollie Pope at short leg.
93rd over: India 322-8 (Sundar 70, Ishant 4) India need 57 to avoid the follow-on. Sharma gets low on those long long legs and sweeps Leach for four to bring up 1000 runs in Tests
.“All the talk of catchers in over 84 set me off. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a burst of Khachaturian‘s most popular piece, the “Sabre Dance” from Gayane, through the PA system at the ground every time a catch is taken? says Kim Thonger. “The composer’s name alone has a lovely rhythm to it, although I suspect it probably translates prosaically from Georgian into Sidebottom or Blenkinsop in English.”
Or, more prosaically, the Laughing Policeman?
92nd over: India 318-8 (Sundar 70, Ishant 0) India need 61 to avoid the follow-on. Anderson replaces Archer and immediately sees some reverse swing. With the 12 ball overs old! He probes past Sundar’s outside edge four times then Sundar slams him for six! The audacity of youth.
91st over: India 312-8 (Sundar 64, Ishant 0) India need 71 to avoid the follow-on. Leach scratches his gingery beard and flights the ball up; bounce and flight do for Nadeem. Another day, another dollar for Leach.
“Et tu, Abhijato? I ‘d forgive the Poms for mistaking my location to be my surname but you..” taps Mittu Choudhary.
“Nadeem has scored a first class century but averages in the mid-teens. Hoping he sticks it out with Washi-boy, who has been a delight to watch - so confident and neat at the crease. I hope Rohit Sharma is taking notes.”
Ah..
WICKET! Nadeem c Stokes b Leach 0
A second for Leach! Smart catch by Stokes by his ankles at slip, Nadeem probing at the extra bounce.
90th over: India 312-7 (Sundar 64, Nadeem 0) India need 71 to avoid the follow-on. Sundar opens the face and guides Archer late past gully for four. Most stylishly done and highly irritating for the bowler.
89th over: India 308-7 (Sundar 60, Nadeem 0) India need 71 to avoid the follow-on. Leach resumes after drinks, just a single from the over. My friend regards dressing gowns as the devils work and I’m starting to agree with her, a nasty drafty gap between knee and slipper.
The first chuntering email of the day blunders in to my inbox from Krishna, kicking over a milk crate on route “You lead by 250+ and the world’s fastest bowler with a new ball is bowling at # 7 and # 8 - and he has one slip! I don’t understand modern captains at all. That squirt from Ashwin would have gone comfortably into 2nd slip’s chest.”
Its the numbers game, no?
88th over: India 307-7 (Sundar 59, Nadeem 0) India need 72 to avoid the follow-on. A tight over from Archer but a no ball so blatant as to be almost rude. The dulcet tones of the klaxon blast over cavernous Chennai. And that’s drinks.
“Mr Hanumangarh,” writes Abhijato Sensarma, “I would tell you - but then, I’m an OBO follower from India too. I keep Cricinfo and Guardian open in adjacent tabs during matches - the former gives me real-time updates, whereas the latter provides a more nuanced analysis of the same. When time permits, I switch on the telly/radio feeds too. A triple braganza of cricket-watching/reading/listening! As an aside, even the paid satellite channels are quite cheap and affordable for the middle class in India.”
87th over: India 305-7 (Sundar 58, Nadeem 0) India need 74 to avoid the follow-on. And that feels like a crucial wicket for England, whose authority was starting to leak from their balloon. Nadeem prods through the rest of the over. A maiden. And excellent from Leach.
John asks, “I just wanted to say - assuming India are out in this session or very early next session - surely surely we enforce the follow on ? I can’t see why on Earth we wouldn’t , it just means a another day in the field for which players train hard, and gives us the prospect of batting tomorrow needing perhaps 100-150 for a classic win. Am I missing something here, or is it as blindingly obvious as it seems ??”
You’re also balancing tired bowlers in hot conditions and the small possibility you might have to chase a small total on the last day on a crumbling pitch.
WICKET! Ashwin c Buttler b Leach 31
A leading edge! Caught by an alert, sprinting and diving Buttler. Brilliant bowling change from Root and relief for Leach
86th over: India 305-6 (Sundar 58, Ashwin 31) India need 74 to avoid the follow-on. Ooof! Archer beats Ashwin, with a back of a length, snifter and the ball flies through slip and gully. Root applauds but it is four more to the Indian column. Archer bowling in the high 130s - which I need to translate so will do for you too - 85mph. Sundar easily dips under a bouncer and we go on.
85th over: India 298-6 (Sundar 57, Ashwin 20) India need 81 to avoid the follow-on. Some breathing space for England; an Anderson maiden.
“In answer to Mittu in Over 82,” Ian Forth, “while Australian cricketers specialise in elite honesty, OBO-ers’ forte is elite pedantry.”
84th over: India 298-6 (Sundar 57, Ashwin 20) India need 86 to avoid the follow-on. This morning, Ravi Ashwin had muesli and toast for breakfast. Another cover drive, another boundary, another this time off Archer. He averages 49 against England in home Test matches, and is enjoying this new ball.
David Melhuish has been examining the scorecard, “Now it’s six different catchers for six. Would have been very nice is Jofra had managed to hold onto that awkward chance yesterday. What’s the maximum number of different catchers in one test innings?We are betting on a Jofra Archer caught ‘n’ bowled next. To keep this dream alive!!”
82nd over: India 293-6 (Sundar 57, Ashwin 20) India need 86 to avoid the follow-on. Ashwin rolls back the years and drives Anderson through extra-cover where is bobbles and bounces with joy to the boundary. Anderson looks as impressed as you’d imagine.
An email floats across the time zones from Mittu Hanumangarh in India. “Working from home with the telly on in the background. Just wanted to know what’s it like to watch test cricket on free to air television in the UK after such a long gap? Always get the impression that Cricket is only followed by the elites in the UK? Are OBO followers also elitist?”
I think I better leave them to answer that.
81st over: India 289-6 (Sundar 57, Ashwin 16) India need 90 to avoid the follow-on. Sundar drives Archer, like a princeling, straight back past his nose for four. Archer demands and gets, the new ball and immediately raps Sundar on the gloves.
“Twenty runs in less than three overs. It’s a fine line between rosy-cheeked and red-faced!” taps Andrew Crossley. Those of us prone to blushing, know this very well.
81st over: India 284-6 (Sundar 53, Ashwin 15) India need 94 to avoid the follow-on. The new ball is available, but Anderson doesn’t take it. A maiden with the old ball - the commentators fancy they’re checking to see if there is any reverse swing.
80th over: India 284-6 (Sundar 53, Ashwin 15) India need 94 to avoid the follow-on. The India team stand and applaud as Washington Sundar reaches his second fifty in only his second Test with some style off Leach.The boy got talent. England a bit uncomfortable in their clothes this morning.
“Can Dom Bess do it for all in Somerset? Banksy, PRSC, City and all hypocrites. I am not bitter.” says John Wild.
Oh John, not at this time of the morning. And to be fair to the fresh-faced woodman, he wasn’t getting in the Somerset team.
79th over: India 279-6 (Sundar 48, Ashwin 15) India need 99 to avoid the follow-on. Another short one from Bess, Sundar licks his lips and shovels him through the covers for four. The new ball is one over away.
78h over: India 274-6 (Sundar 43, Ashwin 15) India need 103 to avoid the follow-on. Ashwin returns to defensive mode against Leach., chugging along in the old car in the slow lane with nary a care.
“Good morning,” taps John Starbuck. “The cat’s still not adjusted to the idea of not having to wake anyone in order to get his breakfast delivered, but then they all hate changes to the routine. Jimmy also looks slightly miffed at seeing a spinner getting first go.”
77th over: India 273-6 (Sundar 41, Ashwin 9) India need 104 to avoid the follow-on. Bess sends down a fruity long-hop, which Sundar stylishly brushes past the bowler to the boundary boards. Ashwin goes one better: shimmy, belt, six.
76th over: India 262-6 (Sundar 37, Ashwin 9) And here he is, on the money straight away, an over with some threat.
75th over: India 262-6 (Sundar 37, Ashwin 7) An elegant back-foot drive gives Sundar the first boundary of the morning. Bess is non-plussed.
Andrew Crossley is gunning for Jack Leach, “Loved your preamble. Dom Bess as rosy-cheeked woodman is perfect. Here’s hoping that Everyman Leach can find his way back into the narrative scheme.” I hope so too. He’s a tough old nut, and Root rates him. He’ll be fine.
Despite my twinkle-toed descent of the stairs, the puppy has woken and is demanding my knee. Still at least I’ve been able to put the kettle on now. The players are in the middle and Dom Bess has the ball.
In Chennai, it’s hot. Mark Butcher thinks England will want to bat again to give the bowlers a rest
“It’s going to be tough” says SirAlastair, “but there’s enough in the surface to give those 14 chances.”
From my sofa to yours, hello!
There’s no point Brad McMillan going to bed, he’s been up with the Super Bowl, “I’m not really a ‘Tom Brady Fan’, but I still enjoyed him getting one over the young pretender to put a marker down that will likely never be reached again.
However, the thing I enjoyed more was the Bucs’ team performance, particularly the defence. Reminds me a little of Joe Root et al.”
I’ve got to admit, I went to bed - but here’s a pre-match read on Brady.
Some pre-SuperBowl reading. This by David Walsh Tom Brady has so many qualities that can’t be measured but his determination at 43 stands out above all elsehttps://t.co/GdJhN7yd4m
— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) February 7, 2021
Preamble
Good day to you! It’s Monday morning, its February, it’s pitch black but what better way to start the week than day four of this beautifully plotted Test. A game of consequences inside a comic book, inside a novella, inside a 19th century doorstop. The hero: Joe Root. The young blade Rishabh Pant. The King: Virat Kohli. The pretender: Ajinka Rahane. The rosy cheeked woodman: Dom Bess. The highly-skilled hunter: Jofra Archer. Enough, but you get the picture.
England start the day very much on top, with India needing 122 to avoid the follow on. Sundar and Ashwin showed adhesiveness last night but I’d bet on early morning wickets. From there, England will presumably bat again to grind India into the pink dust before trying to dismiss them once more on the crumbling blush pitch on the final day. Jack Leach may have got his Pant-destroyed confidence back by them.
Elsewhere, very sad news from the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand where 130 people are feared dead after a Himalayan glacier broke off and caused a surge of water down a river, swept away one dam and damaged another.
And West Indies are still celebrating after their stunning win against Bangladesh, thanks to an unbeaten double century from debutant Kyle Mayers.
Kyle Mayers 210*:
— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 7, 2021
The second highest score in a successful 4th innings chase (behind Gordon Greenidge's 214* at Lord's in 1984, the only other doube-hundred in a winning chase)
Sixth 4th-innings 200 in Test history
Highest 2nd innings score on Test debut
Sixth 200 on debut
Updated
