Key events
Lunch: England 98-4, leading by, well, 98 runs.
Bumrah finds some hooping swing but fires down the leg side to gift England four more byes. Stokes gets off the mark with an outside edge for two wide of gully and then plays a textbook forward defence to the next ball. Can England make it to lunch without losing another? Four in a morning is quite enough thankyou. A bouncer from Bumrah is swayed under from Stokes. One ball left… Stokes blocks it and survives.
A brilliant, magnetic session of cricket comes to a close.
I need a lie down. Or a pint. Or both.
25th over: England 98-4 (Root 17, Stokes 2)
24th over: England 91-4 (Root 16, Stokes 0) Hands on heads from India as Stokes edges Akash Deep but the ball lands just short of the cordon! Swing and a miss from Stokes! A pull across the line but the ball is too full, it beats Stokes and Jurel and runs away for four byes. England will take ‘em. They need ‘em.
There will be one last over from Bumrah before lunch. Buckle up.
23rd over: England 87-4 (Root 16, Stokes 0) Root survives a probing maiden from Bumrah.
Brook was undone by his own arrogance/bravado but also a subtle change in the field from Shubman Gill who moved a fielder fine to long leg to prevent Brook scooping fine for four as he had done twice in the previous over. Brook attempted to sweep in order to hit the ball squarer, a harder shot and one he is less proficient at. He left his stumps exposed and paid the price. Akash Deep celebrated with real fervour too, a big big moment in the game and series.
22nd over: England 87-4 (Root 16, Stokes 0) Ben Stokes strides out to a hearty cheer but it belies plenty of nerves from the home fans here at Lord’s. His side need him to deliver a score right here, right now. Ayeeeee! Deep whistles one past Stokes’ edge first ball. Pulsating cricket and guess what – Jasprit Bumrah is coming on for a couple of overs before lunch. Gulp.
WICKET! Harry Brook b Akash Deep 23 (England 87-4)
Huge moment in the game as Harry Brook attempts the slog sweep to Akash Deep and sees his middle stump splattered! The India players are cock-a-bleedin’-hoop as well they might be – that twists the needle their way significantly. Brooks’ counter-attack is snuffed out ten minutes before lunch.
21st over: England 84-3 (Root 13, Brook 23) Liquid wrists from Brook as he pings a full ball from Reddy through midwicket for four.
”I’m not quite on the ‘get Crawley in the bin’ camp yet” writes an exceedingly well balanced Toby Sims, “half because of my ignorance of alternatives, and because there have been some very fun opening partnerships (not something we get to say that often). Willing to be corrected, but pragmatic at the moment.
One thing Barney did get right is the easy life compared to previous eras. I’ve always thought Michael Carberry would have absolutely loved being in this side and it would have suited him. Perhaps rose tinted hindsight, but I thought after that walloping Down Under, he at least came out with credit, and should have been treated better.
Anyway, I’m off to ignore the cricket for an hour and hope we don’t get in the bin in the meantime.”
20th over: England 77-3 (Root 10, Brook 19) The counter attack is on! Harry Brook scoops consecutive fours off Akash Deep and then bunts a full delivery down the ground and into the Pavilion for SIX! Shades of Pietersen to McGrath here in 2005 with that shot. The members on their feet and giving it the full ‘what-ho’ with gusto.
“It’s wonderful cricket to watch, this” Mike Atherton exhales on the Sky commentary. He’s played and seen quite a bit in his time too.
19th over: England 61-3 (Root 9, Brook 5) Pant is still off the field with that dodgy finger so Dhruv Jurel is behind the sticks and he’s up to the stumps to Reddy in an attempt to keep Harry Brook in his crease. It does the job as Reddy stitches together a maiden.
18th over: England 61-3 (Root 9, Brook 5) Shot! Joe Root plays a beautiful square drive all along the baize for four. That’s what you should’ve done Zak! There’s about a fifty-fifty split in my inbox about whether Crawley has indeed run out of rope. There’s a bit of a gap between this Test and the fourth at Old Trafford, the debate will swirl and whirl.
17th over: England 56-3 (Root 4, Brook 5) Harry Brook tries to put the pressure back on India’s change bowlers, Reddy drops short and is cut away viciously square of the wicket for four.
Here’s Barney Ronay on Zak Crawley from day one…
Look at the numbers. Factor in the vibe, the weather, the positive energy around this team. Put it all together and Crawley is a fair candidate for the title of most cosseted England cricketer of all time. It is weirdly beautiful in its own way. Picture this, oh drawn and tortured opening batters of decades past.
Imagine a world where people just tell you you’re great. Where you’re urged to play only the shots you like and be damned. Where you get to bat on flat pitches. Where almost every other cricketer will be saddled with learning white ball skills, rushed between formats. But not you. Rest. Be ready. Do you.”
16th over: England 51-3 (Root 2, Brook 1) Akash Deep replaces Siraj from the Pavilion End. Harry Brook charges down and tries to marmalise him over extra cover but neasrly swings himself off his feet and connects with nowt. “That’s a bit wild” drawls Ian Ward with significant understatement.
Sure enough, the knives are being sharpened for Zak Crawley in the OBO mailbag.
“Well Reddy has finally put Crawley out of his misery. Can the selectors please do likewise for the next Test?” writes Keith Astbury.
“Let that be the last of Crawley please” sighs Steve Downing from the Mound Stand.
15th over: England 51-3 (Root 2, Brook 1) There will be plenty of chatter about Crawley’s place now, especially if England go on to lose this Test and with a talent like Jacob Bethell waiting in the wings. Harry Brook joins Root in the middle. England need some Yorkshire defiance right about… now!
WICKET! Zak Crawley c Jaiswal b Nitish Kumar Reddy 22 (England 50-3)
Crawley plays a loose drive and is caught by Jaiswal at gully! Gah. *Ray Winstone voice* there are ways to get out and ways to not get out and wafting airily to Nitish kumar Reddy ain’t one of them. England in strife here at Lord’s.
14th over: England 49-2 (Crawley 22, Root 2) “Hello James!”
Back atcha Rowan Tewari.
“Pleased to see you on the OBO double shift. I must say the drama seems to boil over when you’re on, surely a sign to the higher ups that no AI named Jimbot could take over your job!”
I’ve pasted this to the top of my Curriculum Vitae already, Rowan.
“On a more serious note, this series has been defined by tricky new ball periods with batters making hay against the old ball, but I fear run scoring won’t be so easy against the old ball once the spin twins begin operating.”
It’s hard to know what a good score might be in this tricky third innings, Dinesh Karthik on Sky suggests a minimum score for England is 300, far be it for me to disagree with DK but that seams high on the evidence of this pitch at the moment. England are on the brink of reaching fifty with a Root single off Siraj.
13th over: England 48-2 (Crawley 22, Root 1) Bumrah might’ve been tempted to bowl an over at Root but he’s bowled five on the spin and decides it is time for a breather. If I was Shubman Gill (spoiler – I’m not) I reckon I’d have asked my star man to give me on more. Root’s wicket is huge now in the context of this match ands series. Still, it is going to be Nitish Kumar Reddy from the Nursery End. Reddy’s pace is well down on what has come so far this morning, we might see Crawley try and take him down here – sure enough a 78mph short ball is pongoed away on the pull through midwicket for four.
Joe Root emerges for England and the players take a drink. That has been an utterly compelling first hour and India are on top of England here at Lord’s. Play it again, Joe?
12th over: England 42-2 (Crawley 15, Root 0) Mo Siraj is absolutely pumped.
WICKET! Ollie Pope lbw b Mohammed Siraj 4 (England 42-2)
Siraj scuds one through Ollie Pope and pins him lbw! It was given not out on the field but it looked pretty plum, Siraj certainly thought so and he implored his captain to send it upstairs. Sure enough it was hitting the top of middle stump and Pope has to depart.
11th over: England 36-1 (Crawley 15, Pope 4) Things quieten down a smidge but it is no less tense at Lord’s. Crawley clips a couple off his pads for two.
10th over: England 36-1 (Crawley 15, Pope 4) Siraj bustles in but Pope is up to the challenge, blocking out a maiden with stout defence. A significant score from him or Crawley today might quieten the doubters once and for all, these are the most challenging conditions for batting all series.
Decent shout from Mike F who messages to say that the pitch reminds him of this:
9th over: England 36-1 (Crawley 15, Pope 4) A length ball from Bumrah keeps low (!) and Crawley squirts an inside edge through square leg for two. Eeesht! Crawley ‘French cuts’ away for four down to fine leg. Crawley then shows decent judgement by leaving well alone outside off. Ball is dominating bat for once in this series and the cricket is all the better for it.
Tom Atkinson has fessed up by the way:
“I’d like to apologise to England fans for causing Duckett’s wicket by saying to myself how great it was to be spending my Sunday morning watching a batter scoring runs against elite level quicks through skilful timing and placement. Obviously the gods must have heard, and the next ball he plays the ramp, then two balls later gets out playing a boneheaded rounders shot. Can’t help but feel responsible, sorry.”
8th 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 physical contact but he says it is an emotional game and it is very much on the line right now. Also, the replays show that Siraj walked in a straight line after taking the wicket and it was Duckett that crossed his path. There’s a forensic examination happening on the tv right now. You certainly can’t take your eyes off it.
Crawley decides he’s going to have a flash at Siraj and aims two booming drives to length balls but connects only with fresh air. A clip for two and a leg bye keep England ticking, every run feels so important.
7th over: England 27-1 (Crawley 7, Pope 4) This is electric cricket. The pitch has come alive and Siraj and Bumrah are mining it for its spoils. Crawley is beaten by a Bumrah beauty that zips past the outside edge. A single down to deep third sees Pope come on strike to Bumrah. Spits into the glove once more! Pope wrings out his hand and grimaces, it’s nasty stuff for the batter’s at the moment. My days! Bumrah takes Pope’s edge and it soars over the slip cordon and away for four!
I can see the emails piling up, apologies I will get to them. I’m wringing my knuckles a but here!
6th over: England 22-1 (Crawley 6, Pope 0) The umpire has a word with Shubman Gill, I think Siraj might be called to the Umpire’s office after the close of play. Physical contact is a no-no even if Siraj might protest it was just a glance and was accidental, ump. Ollie Pope arrives in the middle and all eyes are glued to this contest. Don’t go anywhere!
WICKET! Ben Duckett c Bumrah b Mohammed Siraj 12 (England 22-1)
It’s all kicking off! Duckett scoops Siraj for four over the keeper’s head but the bowler gets his revenge and then some! Duckett goes to pull but the ball but it beats him for pace and he plinks an easy catch to mid-on. Siraj gives the pint sized batter a full serve and there’s even a little shoulder barge for afters! It is Feisty.
5th over: England 18-0 (Crawley 6, Duckett 8) Bumrah is getting some real up and down bounce now from the Nursery End. Duckett clips for two and then scampers a single to cover. Crawley flays at a length ball and gets a meaty edge that flies wide of gully and away for four! He wasn’t in control at all but he did flash hard. Cripes! Bumrah gets another ball to lift and slam into Crawley’s gloves. The Kent opener must have robust hands, remember Nasser’s Poppadom fingers*?
*“I’ll be mother!”
4th over: England 11-0 (Crawley 2, Duckett 5) Duckett gets off strike off the first ball of the over once more. Clever lad. Siraj snakes one back into Crawley’s pad and India like the look of it. The umpire says no but they send it upstairs… NOT OUT and review burned – it was missing leg stump. Zak Crawley’s eyes are wider than hubcaps out there at the minute.
Jasprit Bumrah from the Nursery End… sizzling atmosphere here at Lord’s. Duckett continues his perky start by clipping for a single to get off strike. Right, Bumrah vs Crawley take two. Here we go!
Chance! Ouch! Bumrah gets one to spit off a good length and it slams into Crawley’s left hand, that came out of nowhere! The ball flies up off the glove and Bumrah hares after the looping Dukes for the return catch. He doesn’t quite get there, a finger end on it as it drops to the turf. Great drama. Crawley could not do anything about that, no histrionics needed, that would have hurt. This fourth day pitch is starting to offer up some spice too.
3rd over: England 10-0 (Crawley 2, Duckett 4)
2nd over: England 9-0 (Crawley 2, Duckett 3) Siraj steams in and sends a wild delivery down the leg-side, waaaay out of the reach of a diving Pant and a loud cheer goes around Lord’s as four byes are gifted to England. Duckett drives through mid-off for three runs, didn’t middle it but its a positive start from him. Crawley comes on strike and the Lord’s hum goes up a few notches.
Plenty of chatter from India’s fielders. Crawley dots out the rest of the over, here comes Jasprit!
The players emerge onto a now sun soaked outfield. Jerusalem is dispatched into the North London environs. Mohammed Siraj is going to start from the Pavilion End. Lot’s of short sentences. To build up anticipation.
Let’s play!
Cricketing needle strikes me as a good OBO sub plot to the day’s action. My mind goes immediately to Michael Clarke telling Jimmy Anderson to “Get ready for a broken F***en’ arm” in Australia a few Ashes ago. The ‘e’ in the expletive is all important.
Patrick Fullick remembers Snowy and Sunny facing off.
“The little fracas between Crawley and Gill last night took my mind back to the 1971 Lords Test between England and India, in which John Snow barged Sunil Gavaskar out of the way to get to the ball as Gavaskar was running between the wickets. Gavaskar dropped his bat in the collision, which Snow then picked up and casually threw back to him, smiling at the same time. There’s aggression for you! And yes, I remember it well.”
Play will begin in about ten minutes time. No you’re excited. I’m in the press box so have got to keep a lid on it, to an extent. Too much exclaiming and there’s still enough gnarly old boys about who will likely greet such effusing with a withering glance.
Anyway, there’s just time enough to get yourself up to speed by reading young whippersnapper Ali Martin’s report of yesterday’s action:
Simon Law isn’t afraid of a plug on the sabbath:
“Our band put out a song a while back called ‘Sunday Morning, New York City’… I’d like everyone to listen and reimagine it as ‘Sunday Morning, St John’s Wood’.
Meanwhile, Barney Ronay delved into the the murky world of ball chat:
Andy Bull has been in fine fettle as per forever, I loved his piece on Jofra Archer on day two:
and here he is on yesterday and the Gautam Gambhirification of Bazball:
Harry Brook was having some throw downs in the Nursery ground nets as I walked past half an hour ago. Most of the England players are now on the outfield playing their game of keepie uppies.
India’s players are in a huge team huddle about 80 metres away. It’s a tired old cliche but the first hour of play this morning really is the definition of a big one.
Preamble
James Wallace
Sunday morning coming down? Hardly.
This third Test between England and India is on a knife edge. But more than that. How about a trapeze artist in 7inch heels tottering along a greased up machete above shark infested waters. In a howling gale. Something like that I suppose.
England lead by the grand total of two runs on first innings and things got a bit spicy on the third evening last night.
Zak Crawley gave a cynical/hilarious/his best Daniel Day Lewis impression to make sure England only had to face one over at the close, it was less My Left Foot and more My Right Glove (there will be definitely wasn’t any blood). Shubman Gill and his men took umbrage and it all got a bit shouty and pointy at the close.
A bit of good old fashioned needle to keep us all on our toes this morning then. England will likely try and force the game along in the first session but with that comes a certain risk. We wouldn’t want it any other way, eh?
Play begins at 11am, Jim here at a muggy Lord’s (dare I say it could be bowling conditions…) on the tools until this afternoon when Rob Smyth will take you tenderly by the hand at lwead you through the rest of the day.
Do give us a shout if you are tuning in. Thought, theories, predictions and pension advice all welcomed.
Let’s get into it.
