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

[Durhamfootman]

Potts must be sick of working his nuts off, just for catches to go down, or not carry, or fly through the cordon

almost as sick as Lees must be of getting run out by his partner

Good though the match situation looks, it's a bit annoying that the England 'bang it in short' theory to the tail worked for once.

[Durhamfootman]

Good that Gentle Ben found his bowling mojo today, though. I thought he'd left it at home for a while there

[westoelad]

Potts must be sick of working his nuts off, just for catches to go down, or not carry, or fly through the cordon

almost as sick as Lees must be of getting run out by his partner

Good though the match situation looks, it's a bit annoying that the England 'bang it in short' theory to the tail worked for once.

Presuming Root called and was home at the danger end I think Lees was as culpable as anyone. Involved in a high number of run outs is Lees.

[sussexpob]

I think its extremely harsh to blame Lees in that situation. Its debatable had Lees reacted almost perfectly to the situation, whether he'd even have gotten back. He was out by miles, and if you study the slow mo, its 2 seconds from the delivery being bowled to the point Lees sets off for a run, with the ball and Stroke included in that.....

So its hardly like Lees dithered too much. Root is halfway down the pitch while Lees is still "in the stroke".

Also cant hear a call on the stump mike. You get Indian bowler and slip fielder screaming thinking the inside edge might have got through, but no audible yes.... so I think Root just assumed Lees was on the same page, and Lees sees Root pretty quick and gets away.

I have that on Joe personally

[sussexpob]

I might be absolutely miles off, but there is something that I am beginning to really like about Alex Lees. He's proven so far in his test career that he (a) has the desire to bat a long time, (b) has a decent defensive technique and (c) more recently has a lot of aggressive strokes in the coaching manual to back it up.

So far the scores dont match the potential, but I am struggle to see many reasons why he can't play at this level. Hopefully he can make a few bigger scores this summer and move on.... I certainly think he deserves a long time to prove it.

I guess stats would say he's not performed as well as Sibley or Jennings type players, but he just looks a more complete, more technically sound player, with more to his game.

[mikesiva]

Now that Ramprakash has replaced Vaughan on the BBC highlights I can start watching it now.

About time!

[alfie]

Hmm. Root might have been a bit over aggressive in the run...but I do think Lees was ball watching. Pity because this was quite the best knock he's played...

In any case Lees (and the embattled Crawley !) did a great job to set India back on their heels and turn what looked like the impossible target into something realistic. Three wickets falling for practically nothing rather messed with that ! But the stumps position leaves the game very much open - and that was unlikely without the opening stand.

Not game to call this one. Only 119 and seven wickets in hand - but some of those wickets look a bit fragile so an early break by India could change the odds dramatically. Win or lose though , this chasing effort has surely proved that the new England approach is a bit more than a fluke/good luck with conditions/result of NZ ineptitude...

Fine effort by England to restrict that Indian lead earlier on , too ; though they were aided by some careless batting . Perhaps India thought they had enough anyway ? And very pleased to see Stokes back in some sort of nick with the ball.

[sussexpob]

There was a bit of Indian ineptitude added in there. I had the feeling that Bumrah lost his cool pretty early, and was switching his bowlers around like it was a T20 at one point. There are few, if any, bowlers as dangerous as he with the new ball, but he took a pasting for 3 overs and made the change to spin. It felt with England's recent success and their aggressive approach, Bumrah panicked quickly, and made some bizarre choices. He brought himself on again with over 120 ish on the board, and within 2 overs it was 120/3....

I mean, if you asked Lees and Crawley at the 7th over start if they preferred Jadeja or Bumrah steaming in, I know which answer they'd have given.

[sussexpob]

The great mystery has been Jadeja's bowling. Leach got quite a lot of turn, Jadeja has looked flat and ineffective. India really miss Ravi Ashwin, I think he'd have probably bowled England out by now had he been in the team.

[sussexpob]

Movement early for India

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wonder if England will get these before the new ball.

[sussexpob]

Indian bowlers not getting the line right at the moment. When they do, they producing a few false strokes. Root inside edged one away from the body, and Bairstow just wafted at thin air, but then its followed up by being way too straight. The field with two close catches on the leg side seems a bit mad too.

[sussexpob]

Joe Root looks ridiculous at the moment. Too straight, flicks you for four, get tight, he's playing the ball so late and just opening the face... too full, hello cover fence.

[sussexpob]

28th hundred for Root.... top stuff

[bigfluffylemon]

Batted Joe

50 off the target in no time, 7 wickets still in hand. A record 4th innings score needed, and it seems it's India not England needing something special at this point.