The day started with expectation of an England declaration and the talk was centered on the possible fourth innings target India would get. The declaration eventually did come, thanks to a heroic face-saving knock from Matt Prior, but after the Indian attack sans Zaheer Khan had given England a scare early on the 4th morning.
The day started sluggishly for England until Strauss got two fours off Kumar. But Alastair Cook, who was kept frozen in his crease by disciplined Indian bowlers, was sent back by Kumar with a lovely leg-cutter. Trott survived a vociferous LBW shout off the same bowler, an excellent decision by Asad Rauf saving him and England. Harbhajan, then, came to the fore by dismissing England captain Andrew Strauss, LBW for 32.
Next little passage of play showcased why Ishant Sharma can be a lethal Test bowler. Contrary to the 1st innings, here he was more aggressive and purposeful, changing the lengths cleverly which kept the batsmen guessing. The dismissal of Pietersen was a prime example. He lunged forward, typically, to a back of length ball, but to his horror the ball reared up awkwardly and he had no time to back away, hence nicking the ball behind for just one. On the last ball of the same over, India sensed something dramatic as Ian Bell too fell cheaply in a similar fashion. As for England cat was among the pigeons.
From 55 for 4, England were soon reeling at 62 for 5 just before lunch, as Trott was clean-bowled by another Ishant beauty. In a spectacular spell, Ishant had taken 3 wickets for just one run. Matt Prior and Eoin Morgan stopped the riot and carried England towards relative safety before Morgan became Ishant’s 4th victim to make it 107 for 6. Chris Broad joined Prior with match hanging in balance. Both batsmen shifted the balance in the favor of England with a brilliant and counter-attacking unbeaten partnership of 162 for the 7th wicket.
They scored at just under six an over, hitting boundaries as well as taking quick singles. Broad, who scored a back-to-the-wall century at the same venue last year, gave confidence to his partner by batting solidly. He hit a few delicious boundaries himself as Prior counter-attacked India. Dhoni’s decision to not start with Ishant straightway after lunch proved costly as England raced towards a huge lead. At tea they had stretched the lead to 362.
Strauss declared after England had plundered 95 runs in 12 overs after tea, with Prior having brought up a Gilchristisque century in 120 balls that included 5 fours and a six. Broad remained not out on a valuable 74. From 62 for 5, England had recovered to 269 for 6. The target for India was 458, a world record chase. Dravid came to open because Gambhir had left the field after injuring his elbow. India lost Mukund cheaply as he played-on a full Broad delivery, but Dravid and Laxman kept England at bay for the rest of the day.
With Dravid looking solid and Laxman well set, made known by three classy fours in a Tremlett over, India will hope these two come up with something special come the final day.
Summarized scores:
India 80/1 and 286 trail England 474/8 and 269/6 (Prior 10-3*, Broad 74*; Ishant Sharma 4/59) by 378 runs with 9 wickets remaining
Published in sportpulse.net on 24 Jul 2011
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