England v India: Late Moeen Ali & Mark Wood wickets set up thrilling final day

By Fatuma
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Updated: August 16, 2021
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SKY Sports

The second Test is set for a grandstand finale after England made late inroads into the India batting on the fourth day at Lord’s.

England took three wickets for 20 runs to leave India 181-6, 154 ahead, with all four results possible on the final day.

A see-saw Test continued to fluctuate on a compelling Sunday at Lord’s, with England reducing India to 55-3, only for the tourists to grind it out through a partnership of 100 between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.

When Pujara fell for 45 off 206 balls – a third wicket for the tireless Mark Wood – it opened the door for Moeen Ali to remove Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja.

The gathering gloom added to the sense of theatre, with England only able to bowl the spin of Moeen and Joe Root despite the second new ball being available.

When the umpires finally decided it was too dark, with eight overs unbowled, the dangerous Rishabh Pant remained on 14 and Ishant Sharma four.

England hit back after India rearguard

This has been a wonderful Test, one in which England – without a win in six games – have responded to being second best in the drawn series opener and allowing to reach India 276-3 on the first day.

It moved through distinct phases and contained some memorable moments: England’s early potency, the resistance of Pujara and Rahane, then the drama of the late wickets.

By the end, the early finish probably suited both sides. India would have wanted to escape to the safety of the dressing room, while England did not want to leak crucial runs while being forced to bowl the spinners in fading light.

The continuing presence of Pant is England’s biggest concern, but they will also know they have the opportunity to run through a long India tail when the new ball is finally taken on Monday morning.

Whatever they are chasing, England must contend with a pitch that is becoming increasingly uneven, particularly when the bowling is from the Pavilion End.

There is also a concern over Wood, who left the field with a shoulder injury after diving to stop the ball on the boundary.

Pujara and Rahane make their stand

Pujara had not passed 21 in his 10 previous Test innings, while Rahane possessed only one half-century in 15, yet they combined to defy England and keep India afloat.

The obdurate Pujara spent 34 balls on nought, the lively India fans – on Indian Independence Day – chanting his name when he got off the mark. He took only 12 runs from the first 100 balls he faced.

The wristy Rahane scored slightly more freely and benefitted from being dropped at point on 31 by a diving Jonny Bairstow off Moeen.

England tried everything to split the partnership and were at the point of being blunted when Wood found extra bounce to have Pujara held at a short second slip via the glove.

Rahane lazily edged Moeen behind, with the off-spinner then producing a ripping delivery to beat the grope of Jadeja and take the off stump.

Pant, who waited to bat lying down on a couch in the India dressing room, was his usual frantic self and was in animated conversation with England captain Root as the players left the field.

England’s early burst

England were magnificent in the morning session, their bowling threatening, fielding dynamic and tactics astute.

India started their second innings 27 behind and Wood was introduced in just the sixth over. After taking KL Rahul’s edge with a delivery clocked at almost 94mph, he prevailed in a thrilling duel with Rohit Sharma.

With Wood haring in, Rohit was determined to take him on, snapping into a breathtaking pull for six. When England put a third fielder on the boundary, Rohit still could not resist, allowing Moeen to take a smart catch at long leg.

James Anderson’s opening spell stretched to nine overs and included a verbal joust with captain Virat Kohli, who became Curran’s first wicket of the series.

Prodding at one that was well wide of off stump, Kohli was caught behind, sending Curran on an ecstatic sprint around Lord’s.

India were rocked and England buoyant, only for Pujara and Rahane to mount their stoic rearguard that spanned almost 50 overs.

‘All results are possible’

England all-rounder Moeen Ali on BBC Sport: “They (Pujara and Rahane) played fantastically well, but the way we hung in there put us in a fantastic position to fight to win tomorrow. The scoring never really got away from us so it will be a great day.

“They have Pant, who could take the game away from us in one or two overs, so I didn’t want to go out there searching for wickets. The game is beautifully poised.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan on BBC Test Match Special: “We are in for a gem of a last day. We come back tomorrow with all results still possible.

“The first 30 minutes will decide the game. If they allow Pant to get in, that lead will be around 200.

“At the moment I have England as favourites but the more it goes over 200 I will be edging closer to India.”

Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash: “England will fancy their chances but there is still work to do. Anything around 200 will be difficult to chase.”

Source: BBC Sport