India tour of Eng, June 20 - Aug 4

[Durhamfootman]

Perhaps India didn’t want England to chase. Maybe they figured the seamers did well enough in the first innings to believe that they could knock England over in 3 and a half sessions

Of course England have been bowling all day, so half a session tonight might have the same number of overs as a whole session for anyone else

[Arthur Crabtree]

Pope has improved on his first innings effort.

[Durhamfootman]

If England do attempt to chase aggressively, then stokes will need his head examined

[sussexpob]

Surely that has hit bat

EDIT - no it didnt, but what a ball.

[Durhamfootman]

Crawley obliges straight away

7 ducks out of 11

[meninblue]

If England do attempt to chase aggressively, then stokes will need his head examined

The way Zak played it, he was not keen on leaving the ball outside off. The plan seems to be to chase.

[Durhamfootman]

This is ridiculous by Indian think tank.

Maybe the thinking is that a chase suits these England boys, so set a monstrous target and see if they go all defensive, which perhaps they are less good at

[Arthur Crabtree]

My guess is this just isn't reachable in the time available. A batting lineup of Sehwag/Warner/Viv/ABDV/Bevan/Botham/Gilchrist/Klusener and Chris and Lance Cairns couldn't do it.

Chasing this is the cricket equivalent of the charge of the light brigade.

[meninblue]

This is ridiculous by Indian think tank.

Maybe the thinking is that a chase suits these England boys, so set a monstrous target and see if they go all defensive, which perhaps they are less good at

I think Indian think tank wanted to ensure first that they do not lose. And they thought 608 is atleast a draw with less overs for England. A draw was preferred to a win imo. Defensive approach. But England seem to be hell bent to not draw given that India actually helped England play so many of the overs they woild have to bat.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well, there goes the other opener. My hunch is these two will dig in. I'm going to do 30mins on my exercise bike and I'm expecting no further wickets when I'm done...

[sussexpob]

Just what England needed, a Duckett 25 in 4.3 overs and then chopping on.

Idiocy..

[sussexpob]

25 of 15 balls chasing 607 in under 4 sessions.... I think that must be the most brain dead innings I have ever seen

[sussexpob]

Don't well not to nick that, Pope

[meninblue]

Here is a batting wicket on which both teams have piled big totals . England could easily have survived less than 4 sessions since they started to bat in 2nd innings. Instead lose 2 wickets. Not ruling out a Joe Root 200 though.

[sussexpob]

Umpire needs replacing if he sent that upstairs, bounced well infront of Pant