England finished the second day of the fourth Test against India in a strong position at Old Trafford.
Captain Ben Stokes’ first five-wicket haul in eight years helped England bowl India out for 358 at Old Trafford.
Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett produced a stand of 166, with the pair eventually out for 84 and 94 respectively.
England closed the day on 225-2 with the hosts currently trailing India’s first innings total by 133 runs.
Mail Sport’s David Lloyd – AKA Bumble – was there to take it all in of the action at Old Trafford.
In the latest edition of Bumble at the Test, he looks at some of the key talking points of the day between England and India, as well as notable items across cricket.
England are in a strong position following an impressive second day of the fourth Test with India
Ben’s best is quite the sight
Captain Marvel came to the fore again. Ben Stokes pounded in for 24 overs on a docile, unresponsive pitch and picked up a deserved five-for, his first for eight years.
What a fantastic sight to see him back to his best with the ball. He has supreme fitness, endeavour and a will to make something happen.
He is very special to England and his team-mates clearly love him.
Crawley in perfect rhythm
Sitting high up in the pavilion, right behind the bowler’s arm, I had a great view of the action and I watched very carefully when Zak Crawley batted on Thursday.
He was excellent with his movement and balance.
Rhythm is so important and he looked in sync. He didn’t chase the ball and was disciplined around off stump. I was very impressed.
It was a fantastic sight to see Ben Stokes back to his best with the ball against India
Zak Crawley was excellent with his movement and balance as he racked up 84 runs
The North’s raw deal
This summer we have seen a full Headingley, a full Edgbaston and now a full Old Trafford.
And yet four of the seven Tests next year, including a women’s Test, will be in London — three at Lord’s and one at the Oval. Surely that can’t be right?
The northern counties are the hotbeds of club and league cricket. They deserve better.
Remembering a classic
I was thrilled to be asked by Sky Sports to film a piece around Old Trafford recalling the last day of the great 2005 Ashes Test here.
I was commentating that day and there were 20,000 inside the ground and another 10,000 outside who couldn’t get a seat.
The Aussies hung on for a draw on one of the most memorable Old Trafford days.
Old Trafford was full on Thursday but four of the seven Tests next year will be in London
The 2005 Ashes Test at Old Trafford ended in a memorable draw with 20,000 fans inside the ground and another 10,000 outside as Australia hung on
Punish Somerset
I noted Ian Botham’s rant about the heavily used, green pitch at Taunton, where Somerset beat Durham inside five sessions. I’m with Beefy on this one.
We are in the business of trying to produce cricketers for England, so you need top pitches. That pitch didn’t fit the criteria. It is embarrassing.
Somerset should be docked points.
Rain doesn’t stop play
A great tale came out of Bumble’s Legends Lounge last night. Eskdale Cricket Club went from the Lake District to play Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales.
The pitch was underwater, so they had a bowl-out, but nobody could stand up.
So they went in the clubhouse and played the dice game Owzthat! Village cricket at its finest.
Move over Oasis
Manchester is our country’s music capital. Oasis have just been playing at Heaton Park, which has reignited the debate over the best band to have come out of the city.
We’ve got The Stone Roses, New Order, Joy Division, The Smiths, Happy Mondays and, if you go back as far as me, Freddie and the Dreamers.
My pick for our best band? The Fall.
