England are in a commanding position at the end of day three of the fourth Test against India, leading by 186 runs and wickets still in hand.
It feels a matter of when, not if, they take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, but day three in itself provided plenty of talking points – including Joe Root’s latest sensational century.
Elsewhere, Ben Stokes triggered injury fears when he left the field with what turned out to be cramp as he seemed to return to form with the bat, and India’s spinners have impressed – despite England piling on the runs.
Ben Stokes’ side will now look to add to their total even further on Saturday when he and Liam Dawson return to the crease, before having another bowl and looking to wrap up proceedings.
In the meantime, our man David Lloyd was at Old Trafford to dissect all the big talking points, from Root’s form, to Stokes’ resilience, to India’s seamers.
Mail Sport presents the latest edition of BUMBLE ON THE TEST.
Joe Root’s 38th Test century has put England in a commanding position against India
Ben Stokes triggered injury fears but returned to form with the bat and remains unbeaten
Joe heading for top spot
It was business as usual for Joe Root Ltd. In perfect batting conditions, he was never going to miss out on scoring a 38th Test century.
He just played the percentages and never moved out of his comfort zone. He is now second on the all-time list of Test run-scorers and is in relentless pursuit of Sachin Tendulkar for the top spot. There is no reason to believe he won’t get there.
Beware a crack-in-the-box!
I had to chuckle when Ben Stokes was felled by a delivery from Mohammed Siraj, which hit him amidships. But he’s absolutely won the Lottery being hit there by Siraj rather than my misfortune of being banjaxed by Jeff Thomson.
My protector split in half and everything that should have been protected was trapped between the cracked bits. I trust Ben’s box is more adequate than it was in my day.
Pitching it just right
India’s seamers have come under the spotlight here. They have been substandard. But I have seen most games here this summer and this pitch has a lovely even bounce, a pleasant pace and doesn’t offer any movement.
Don’t expect any fireworks on days four and five either, as this pitch doesn’t break up, it gets more solid. It’s a chief executive’s dream because it guarantees revenue for the full five days.
India’s spinners bowled well in tandem just after lunch but there way no turn, showing flight and pace is also useful
The seamers, however, have been substandard and under the spotlight amid their struggles
It’s not all about spin
There was an excellent passage of play just after lunch when India’s spinners were bowling in tandem.
I say spinners but there was no turn. Ollie Pope played for spin against Washington Sundar but edged to slip and Harry Brook decided to go walk about down the pitch and was stumped.
It just goes to show it doesn’t have to spin because flight and change of pace are real assets.
Wonderful Wasim
It sure has been good to catch up with some of my former Lancashire team-mates this week, like Sir Clive Lloyd, Farokh Engineer and Jack Simmons. The good old days!
And I was delighted to see Wasim Akram ring the bell on Friday. He had a massive impact at the club and his nickname in the dressing room was ‘King’.
I often get asked about my best-ever team. I always start with Wasim at No 8.
was delighted to see Wasim Akram ring the bell on Friday – he had a massive impact on Lancashire
Rehan Ahmed, meanwhile, looks a superb player, and his county form is good news for England
Ton-up Rehan’s lucky 13
What a fabulous effort from Rehan Ahmed to take 13 wickets and hit a century for Leicestershire against Derbyshire, the first Englishman to achieve that feat since Ian Botham in the 1980 Jubilee Test.
I saw the 20-year-old here earlier this season and he looked a superb player. He is obviously going in the right direction. It is good news for England, as having a leg spinner is always a big advantage, especially overseas.
Keep on rockin’, Dave
It was Manchester’s Northern Quarter for me on Thursday night. Thomas Street is pedestrianised, and cafes and bars spill out onto the road, a bit like Nice and Monaco…
I stopped at the Bay Horse Tavern before karaoke at The Millstone. Everybody had a go but Dave in the electric blue suit stole the show with Suspicious Minds. He is 87 years old but still has all the moves.
