India in England Aug-Sep 2021 (& July 2022)

[bigfluffylemon]

Something of a milestone innings for Root. He passed Gooch's tally to become England's second highest runscorer, and joint third-highest century maker after Cook and KP. And joint highest 150-maker for England. And by finishing not out, he's nudged his average back north of 50, where it hasn't been since 2018 (except briefly after those three tons in a row in Asia). Let's see if he can keep it there now.

He already cracked 1000 test runs for the calendar year in the last innings, with 1244 now, the next highest being Rohit on 669, just over half that number. Ok, he's also played more tests than anyone else this year, but not that many more. And only Kane has a higher average this calendar year (with a cutoff of at least 3 matches played).

With six more matches to play this year, assuming he plays them all, he doesn't even need to bat his average to smash the record for most test runs in a calendar year. So watch his form slide away again...

[alfie]

Something of a milestone innings for Root. He passed Gooch's tally to become England's second highest runscorer, and joint third-highest century maker after Cook and KP. And joint highest 150-maker for England. And by finishing not out, he's nudged his average back north of 50, where it hasn't been since 2018 (except briefly after those three tons in a row in Asia). Let's see if he can keep it there now.

He already cracked 1000 test runs for the calendar year in the last innings, with 1244 now, the next highest being Rohit on 669, just over half that number. Ok, he's also played more tests than anyone else this year, but not that many more. And only Kane has a higher average this calendar year (with a cutoff of at least 3 matches played).

With six more matches to play this year, assuming he plays them all, he doesn't even need to bat his average to smash the record for most test runs in a calendar year. So watch his form slide away again...

That's assuming the Ashes Tour goes ahead. I am getting a bit concerned at the obstacles being thrown up here with most states locking each other out every other week - the footballers must be getting dizzy with all the abrupt changes of venues. Might be tricky trying to run five Test Matches in different states over a short time frame. Hope the vaccination programme keeps motoring...

[Arthur Crabtree]

With six more matches to play this year, assuming he plays them all, he doesn't even need to bat his average to smash the record for most test runs in a calendar year. So watch his form slide away again...

Wow, that would be a huge achievement.

It used to be widely assumed the captaincy was crippling his batting.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pitch still good so arguably the draw is favourite ? But both these batting line-ups are fragile so anything could happen. England might just fancy their chances if they can get Rohit and Rahul out for a change...

Draw is fading out of view, but the rest happened.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pujara, 100m, 5 runs!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hell of a partnership. Well done to Pujara and Rahane. Nearly 100 added.

[Durhamfootman]

all over now, though thanks to Woody and Mo

time for the fabled flaky India lower order to live up their billing. Lead is 140 so a quick fire 50 from Pant and another 100 runs for India might even be enough if Root falls early

[Arthur Crabtree]

Another for Mo. Shouldn't be long now. But even with about 180 to get, it feels like England will still need something from the skipper.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Too near close of play for Pant to have a hit?

[Arthur Crabtree]

That's it. Not often play doesn't go on as long as it can.

No bad light. Thought England might have bowled their overs on time!

Good day for England again.

New ball in the morning.

[Durhamfootman]

No bad light. Thought England might have bowled their overs on time!

[bigfluffylemon]

Just 82 overs bowled.

Going to be a much better final day than I expected after day 1. Get Pant early and England have a chance to win, though you'd still favour India on this pitch. Pant adds a quickfire 50 and the tail clobbers a few boundaries, lead of 250, England have very little chance.

[sussexpob]

England must be favourites, but its dependent on how long India can bat. I think India's main focus here should be to take as many overs out the English response as possible. Neither team has found scoring quickly that easy, so if India can some how bat out 30-40 overs by just dropping anchor, they force England to win the game by attacking, which boosts their chances of wickets.

But Pant doesnt know how to defend, and this tail is long and probably wont last anywhere near 30 overs. So probably tell Pant and Ishant to hang around as long as possible, and if Sharma goes, Pant has license to swing.

Be no extra time - 90 overs max.

[sussexpob]

Pant goes, and surely thats the match with him

[bigfluffylemon]

Sharma too. Bumrah with an average of 3 goes in ahead of Siraj

You'd think this will be over quickly. But the target is near 200. Recent history indicates that chasing anything over 200 is a tough ask at Lord's. And with this England batting line-up, I'm not counting on anything. Still, no Ashwin, which should help England.