Key occasions
WICKET! Harry Brook b Akash Deep 23 (England 87-4)
Large second within the sport as Harry Brook makes an attempt the slog sweep to Akash Deep and sees his center stump splattered! The India gamers a cock-a-bleedin’-hoop as effectively they is likely to be – that twists the needle their means considerably. Brooks’ counter-attack is snuffed out ten minutes earlier than lunch.
twenty first over: England 84-3 (Root 13, Brook 23) Liquid wrists from Brook as he pings a full ball from Reddy by means of midwicket for 4.
”I’m not fairly on the ‘get Crawley within the bin’ camp but” writes an exceedingly effectively balanced Toby Sims, “half due to my ignorance of alternate options, and since there have been some very enjoyable opening partnerships (not one thing we get to say that usually). Keen to be corrected, however pragmatic in the mean time.
One factor Barney did get proper is the simple life in comparison with earlier eras. I’ve at all times thought Michael Carberry would have completely beloved being on this facet and it might have suited him. Maybe rose tinted hindsight, however I believed after that walloping Down Underneath, he not less than got here out with credit score, and will have been handled higher.
Anyway, I’m off to disregard the cricket for an hour and hope we don’t get within the bin within the meantime.”
twentieth over: England 77-3 (Root 10, Brook 19) The counter assault is on! Harry Brook scoops consecutive fours off Akash Deep after which bunts a full supply down the bottom and into the Pavilion for SIX! Shades of Pietersen to McGrath right here in 2005 with that shot. The members on their toes and giving it the complete ‘what-ho’ with gusto.
“It’s fantastic cricket to observe, this” Mike Atherton exhales on the Sky commentary. He’s performed and seen fairly a bit in his time too.
nineteenth over: England 61-3 (Root 9, Brook 5) Pant continues to be off the sector with that dodgy finger so Dhruv Jurel is behind the sticks and he’s as much as the stumps to Reddy in an try and maintain Harry Brook in his crease. It does the job as Reddy stitches collectively a maiden.
18th over: England 61-3 (Root 9, Brook 5) Shot! Joe Root performs an exquisite sq. drive all alongside the baize for 4. That’s what it’s best to’ve finished Zak! There’s a few fifty-fifty break up in my inbox about whether or not Crawley has certainly run out of rope. There’s a little bit of a niche between this Check and the fourth at Outdated Trafford, the talk will swirl and whirl.
seventeenth over: England 56-3 (Root 4, Brook 5) Harry Brook tries to place the strain again on India’s change bowlers, Reddy drops quick and is minimize away viciously sq. of the wicket for 4.
Right here’s Barney Ronay on Zak Crawley from day one…
Take a look at the numbers. Issue within the vibe, the climate, the optimistic power round this group. Put all of it collectively and Crawley is a good candidate for the title of most cosseted England cricketer of all time. It’s weirdly stunning in its personal means. Image this, oh drawn and tortured opening batters of many years previous.
Think about a world the place folks simply inform you you’re nice. The place you’re urged to play solely the photographs you want and be damned. The place you get to bat on flat pitches. The place nearly each different cricketer shall be saddled with studying white ball expertise, rushed between codecs. However not you. Relaxation. Be prepared. Do you.”
sixteenth over: England 51-3 (Root 2, Brook 1) Akash Deep replaces Siraj from the Pavilion Finish. Harry Brook costs down and tries to marmalise him over additional cowl however neasrly swings himself off his toes and connects with nowt. “That’s a bit wild” drawls Ian Ward with vital understatement.
Positive sufficient, the knives are being sharpened for Zak Crawley within the OBO mailbag.
“Properly Reddy has lastly put Crawley out of his distress. Can the selectors please do likewise for the following Check?” writes Keith Astbury.
“Let that be the final of Crawley please” sighs Steve Downing from the Mound Stand.
fifteenth over: England 51-3 (Root 2, Brook 1) There shall be loads of chatter about Crawley’s place now, particularly if England go on to lose this Check and with a expertise like Jacob Bethell ready within the wings. Harry Brook joins Root within the center. England want some Yorkshire defiance proper about… now!
WICKET! Zak Crawley c Jaiswal b Nitish Kumar Reddy 22 (England 50-3)
Crawley performs a free drive and is caught by Jaiswal at gully! Gah. *Ray Winstone voice* there are methods to get out and methods to not get out and wafting airily to Nitish kumar Reddy ain’t one in every of them. England in strife right here at Lord’s.
14th over: England 49-2 (Crawley 22, Root 2) “Hey James!”
Again atcha Rowan Tewari.
“Happy to see you on the OBO double shift. I need to say the drama appears to boil over while you’re on, absolutely an indication to the upper ups that no AI named Jimbot might take over your job!”
I’ve pasted this to the highest of my Curriculum Vitae already, Rowan.
“On a extra critical be aware, this sequence has been outlined by tough new ball intervals with batters making hay towards the previous ball, however I concern run scoring received’t be really easy towards the previous ball as soon as the spin twins start working.”
It’s exhausting to know what a great rating is likely to be on this tough third innings, Dinesh Karthik on Sky suggests a minimal rating for England is 300, far be it for me to disagree with DK however that seams excessive on the proof of this pitch in the mean time. England are on the point of reaching fifty with a Root single off Siraj.
thirteenth over: England 48-2 (Crawley 22, Root 1) Bumrah would possibly’ve been tempted to bowl an over at Root however he’s bowled 5 on the spin and decides it’s time for a breather. If I used to be Shubman Gill (spoiler – I’m not) I reckon I’d have requested my star man to offer me on extra. Root’s wicket is large now within the context of this match ands sequence. Nonetheless, it’s going to be Nitish Kumar Reddy from the Nursery Finish. Reddy’s tempo is effectively down on what has come up to now this morning, we’d see Crawley attempt to take him down right here – certain sufficient a 78mph quick ball is pongoed away on the pull by means of midwicket for 4.
Joe Root emerges for England and the gamers take a drink. That has been an completely compelling first hour and India are on prime of England right here at Lord’s. Play it once more, Joe?
twelfth over: England 42-2 (Crawley 15, Root 0) Mo Siraj is completely pumped.
WICKET! Ollie Pope lbw b Mohammed Siraj 4 (England 42-2)
Siraj scuds one by means of Ollie Pope and pins him lbw! It was given not out on the sector nevertheless it regarded fairly plum, Siraj definitely thought so and he implored his captain to ship it upstairs. Positive sufficient it was hitting the highest of center stump and Pope has to depart.
eleventh over: England 36-1 (Crawley 15, Pope 4) Issues quieten down a smidge however it’s no much less tense at Lord’s. Crawley clips a pair off his pads for 2.
tenth over: England 36-1 (Crawley 15, Pope 4) Siraj bustles in however Pope is as much as the problem, blocking out a maiden with stout defence. A major rating from him or Crawley in the present day would possibly quieten the doubters as soon as and for all, these are probably the most difficult situations for batting all sequence.
Respectable shout from Mike F who messages to say that the pitch reminds him of this:
ninth over: England 36-1 (Crawley 15, Pope 4) A size ball from Bumrah retains low (!) and Crawley squirts an inside edge by means of sq. leg for 2. Eeesht! Crawley ‘French cuts’ away for 4 all the way down to positive leg. Crawley then reveals first rate judgement by leaving effectively alone exterior off. Ball is dominating bat for as soon as on this sequence and the cricket is all the higher for it.
Tom Atkinson has fessed up by the best way:
“I’d prefer to apologise to England followers for inflicting Duckett’s wicket by saying to myself how nice it was to be spending my Sunday morning watching a batter scoring runs towards elite degree quicks by means of skilful timing and placement. Clearly the gods will need to have heard, and the following ball he performs the ramp, then two balls later will get out enjoying a boneheaded rounders shot. Can’t assist however really feel accountable, sorry.”
eighth over: England 30-1 (Crawley 9, Pope 4) Nasser Hussain is all for the fired up nature of Siraj’s celebration, he’s not condoning the bodily contact however he says it’s an emotional sport and it is rather a lot on the road proper now. Additionally, the replays present that Siraj walked in a straight line after taking the wicket and it was Duckett that crossed his path. There’s a forensic examination taking place on the television proper now. You definitely can’t take your eyes off it.
Crawley decides he’s going to have a flash at Siraj and goals two booming drives to size balls however connects solely with recent air. A clip for 2 and a leg bye maintain England ticking, each run feels so essential.
seventh over: England 27-1 (Crawley 7, Pope 4) That is electrical cricket. The pitch has come alive and Siraj and Bumrah are mining it for its spoils. Crawley is crushed by a Bumrah magnificence that zips previous the skin edge. A single all the way down to deep third sees Pope come on strike to Bumrah. Spits into the glove as soon as extra! Pope wrings out his hand and grimaces, it’s nasty stuff for the batter’s in the mean time. My days! Bumrah takes Pope’s edge and it soars over the slip cordon and away for 4!
I can see the emails piling up, apologies I’ll get to them. I’m wringing my knuckles a however right here!
sixth over: England 22-1 (Crawley 6, Pope 0) The umpire has a phrase with Shubman Gill, I feel Siraj is likely to be known as to the Umpire’s workplace after the shut of play. Bodily contact is a no-no even when Siraj would possibly protest it was only a look and was unintentional, ump. Ollie Pope arrives within the center and all eyes are glued to this contest. Don’t go anyplace!
WICKET! Ben Duckett c Bumrah b Mohammed Siraj 12 (England 22-1)
It’s all kicking off! Duckett scoops Siraj for 4 over the keeper’s head however the bowler will get his revenge after which some! Duckett goes to drag however the ball nevertheless it beats him for tempo and he plinks a straightforward catch to mid-on. Siraj offers the pint sized batter a full serve and there’s even a bit of shoulder barge for afters! It’s Feisty.
fifth over: England 18-0 (Crawley 6, Duckett 8) Bumrah is getting some actual up and down bounce now from the Nursery Finish. Duckett clips for 2 after which scampers a single to cowl. Crawley flays at a size ball and will get a meaty edge that flies large of gully and away for 4! He wasn’t in management in any respect however he did flash exhausting. Cripes! Bumrah will get one other ball to elevate and slam into Crawley’s gloves. The Kent opener will need to have sturdy palms, bear in mind Nasser’s Poppadom fingers*?
*“I’ll be mom!”
4th over: England 11-0 (Crawley 2, Duckett 5) Duckett will get off strike off the primary ball of the over as soon as extra. Intelligent lad. Siraj snakes one again into Crawley’s pad and India just like the look of it. The umpire says no however they ship it upstairs… NOT OUT and evaluate burned – it was lacking leg stump. Zak Crawley’s eyes are wider than hubcaps on the market on the minute.
Jasprit Bumrah from the Nursery Finish… scorching ambiance right here at Lord’s. Duckett continues his perky begin by clipping for a single to get off strike. Proper, Bumrah vs Crawley take two. Right here we go!
Likelihood! Ouch! Bumrah will get one to spit off a great size and it slams into Crawley’s left hand, that got here out of nowhere! The ball flies up off the glove and Bumrah hares after the looping Dukes for the return catch. He doesn’t fairly get there, a finger finish on it because it drops to the turf. Nice drama. Crawley couldn’t do something about that, no histrionics wanted, that may have damage. This fourth day pitch is beginning to provide up some spice too.
third over: England 10-0 (Crawley 2, Duckett 4)
2nd over: England 9-0 (Crawley 2, Duckett 3) Siraj steams in and sends a wild supply down the leg-side, waaaay out of the attain of a diving Pant and a loud cheer goes round Lord’s as 4 byes are gifted to England. Duckett drives by means of mid-off for 3 runs, didn’t center it however its a optimistic begin from him. Crawley comes on strike and the Lord’s hum goes up a number of notches.
Loads of chatter from India’s fielders. Crawley dots out the remainder of the over, right here comes Jasprit!
The gamers emerge onto a now solar soaked outfield. Jerusalem is dispatched into the North London environs. Mohammed Siraj goes to begin from the Pavilion Finish. Lot’s of quick sentences. To construct up anticipation.
Let’s play!
Cricketing needle strikes me as a great OBO sub plot to the day’s motion. My thoughts goes instantly to Michael Clarke telling Jimmy Anderson to “Prepare for a damaged F***en’ arm” in Australia a number of Ashes in the past. The ‘e’ within the expletive is all essential.
Patrick Fullick remembers Snowy and Sunny dealing with off.
“The little fracas between Crawley and Gill final evening took my thoughts again to the 1971 Lords Check between England and India, wherein John Snow barged Sunil Gavaskar out of the best way to get to the ball as Gavaskar was operating between the wickets. Gavaskar dropped his bat within the collision, which Snow then picked up and casually threw again to him, smiling on the identical time. There’s aggression for you! And sure, I bear in mind it effectively.”
Play will start in about ten minutes time. No you’re excited. I’m within the press field so have gotten to maintain a lid on it, to an extent. An excessive amount of exclaiming and there’s nonetheless sufficient gnarly previous boys about who will doubtless greet such effusing with a withering look.
Anyway, there’s simply time sufficient to make yourself familiar by studying younger whippersnapper Ali Martin’s report of yesterday’s motion:
Simon Legislation isn’t afraid of a plug on the sabbath:
“Our band put out a track some time again known as ‘Sunday Morning, New York Metropolis’… I’d like everybody to pay attention and reimagine it as ‘Sunday Morning, St John’s Wooden’.
In the meantime, Barney Ronay delved into the the murky world of ball chat:
Andy Bull has been in positive fettle as per eternally, I beloved his piece on Jofra Archer on day two:
and right here he’s on yesterday and the Gautam Gambhirification of Bazball:
Harry Brook was having some throw downs within the Nursery floor nets as I walked previous half an hour in the past. A lot of the England gamers are actually on the outfield enjoying their sport of keepie uppies.
India’s gamers are in an enormous group huddle about 80 metres away. It’s a drained previous cliche however the first hour of play this morning actually is the definition of a large one.
Preamble
James Wallace
Sunday morning coming down? Hardly.
This third Check between England and India is on a knife edge. However greater than that. How a few trapeze artist in 7inch heels tottering alongside a greased up machete above shark infested waters. In a howling gale. One thing like that I suppose.
England lead by the grand complete of two runs on first innings and issues acquired a bit spicy on the third night final evening.
Zak Crawley gave a cynical/hilarious/his finest Daniel Day Lewis impression to verify England solely needed to face one over on the shut, it was much less My Left Foot and extra My Proper Glove (there shall be undoubtedly wasn’t any blood). Shubman Gill and his males took umbrage and all of it acquired a bit shouty and pointy on the shut.
A bit of fine quaint needle to maintain us all on our toes this morning then. England will doubtless attempt to power the sport alongside within the first session however with that comes a sure threat. We wouldn’t need it every other means, eh?
Play begins at 11am, Jim right here at a muggy Lord’s (dare I say it might be bowling situations…) on the instruments till this afternoon when Rob Smyth will take you tenderly by the hand at lwead you thru the remainder of the day.
Do give us a shout if you’re tuning in. Thought, theories, predictions and pension recommendation all welcomed.
Let’s get into it.
