Tag: England vs India

Records tumble as England thrash India after historic run chase

Posted on by Syed Ahsan Ali Jaffri

BIRMINGHAM: Various records tumbled during the rescheduled fifth Test between England and India as the hosts defeated India by seven wickets on the back of an astounding unbeaten partnership between Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow.

As England displayed sheer dominance over the Indian bowling attack; chasing their highest ever total in the history of Test cricket. The hosts have registered several records from their incredible victory.

England’s successful 378-run chase against India in the fifth Test is the highest chase by any team against India. Their remarkable run chase is also the second highest on English soil.

 

The hosts, who levelled the four-match series 2-2 after being down 2-1 before the final Test, following an astounding display of aggressiveness also made it to the list of the highest chase in the history of red-ball cricket as they successfully chased down the eighth-highest total.

Under the new leadership of skipper Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, England have also become the first team to pull off 250-plus run chase in four consecutive Tests.

The rescheduled fifth Test also marked the first instance for India to lose a match after securing a hundred-plus lead in the first inning.

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India slip below Pakistan in WTC points table after slow-over penalty

Posted on by A Sports

DUBAI: India have been slipped below Pakistan in the World Test Championship standings after being docked two points by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for slow over-rate in the rescheduled fifth Test against England. 

India, which lost the final Test in a frustrating manner despite setting a commendable 378-run target, have found themselves in another unpleasant situation as the touring side have been slipped to the fourth position in the latest WTC standings following the penalization of two points.

 

Following India’s slump, Pakistan have acquired the third spot in the standings edging past the former by a thin margin. After the penalty, India have 75 points (point percentage of 52.08) just below Pakistan (52.38%).

The ICC has further announced to fine the touring players with 40 percent of their match fees for the offence.

According to Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, a side is penalized one point for each over short. Resultantly, England lost two points from their total tally.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have an opportunity to further strengthen their hold on the third spot as the Green Shirts are due to tour Sri Lanka to contest in a two-match Test series, later this month.

READ: Edgbaston to investigate racism allegations by Indian fans during final Test

Edgbaston to investigate racism allegations by Indian fans during final Test

Posted on by A Sports

BIRMINGHAM: Edgbaston decided to launch an investigation following the allegations raised by the Indian fans regarding the racist abuse on the fourth day of the recently-concluded final Test.

Several tweets came to the limelight by fans in attendance on the fourth day of the rescheduled Test for experiencing racist abuse at the stands and also complained about the stewards, who fell on deaf ears.

The official Bharat Army Twitter account confirmed the racism allegations raised by several cricket fans and claimed to work with Edgbaston to share the feedback.

“Sad to say many of our members experienced racist abuse from a very small minority of individuals. We will work with Edgbaston to share all your feedback. Thank you to those England fans who stood by us,” The Bharat Army tweeted.

 

Following that, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s official Twitter account also expressed disappointment over the accusations and promised to cooperate with Edgbaston to begin the investigation.

“We are very concerned to hear reports of racist abuse at today’s Test match. We are in contact with colleagues at Edgbaston who will investigate. There is no place for racism in cricket,” the cricket board tweeted.

Meanwhile, Edgbaston chief executive Stuart Cain, in a statement, claimed that he was ‘gutted’ by the racism allegations.

“I’m gutted by these reports as we’re working hard to make Edgbaston a safe, welcoming environment for all,” Cain stated.

“Having seen the initial tweets, I’ve spoken personally to the gentleman who raised them and we’re now speaking to the stewards in this area to establish what happened. Nobody should be subject to any form of abuse at Edgbaston. So, once we’ve got all the facts, we will make sure this issue is addressed swiftly,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that the ECB has already started the investigation after the former Yorkshire CCC player Azim Rafiq made racism allegations and claimed to have experienced ‘inhuman behaviour’, whereas, an independent panel of the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) will hear the cases in due course and as per the normal practice of the ECB.

READ: Root, Bairstow’s tons power England to level series 2-2 after historic chase

Root, Bairstow’s tons power England to level series 2-2 after historic chase

Posted on by A Sports

BIRMINGHAM: Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow blasted magnificent centuries on the final day of rescheduled Test to propel India’s defeat after England sealed a historic chase of 378 runs to level the series 2-2, here at Edgbaston.

With their incredible 269-run partnership in the rescheduled fifth Test, England’s steady duo of Root and Bairstow ended India’s hopes of winning the Test series in England after a 15-year dearth.

Resuming their run chase at 259/3, Bairstow and Root carried the momentum of their overnight partnership and displayed no signs of rusting.

Root and Bairstow, who were unbeaten on 76 and 72 respectively, soon amassed their centuries as they seemed unmoved by the Indian bowling attack.

The pair ticked the scoreboard at a rapid pace as they scored the required 119 runs in less than 20 overs to seal their historic run chase in Tests.

Root top-scored for the side in the second inning with his magnificent knock of 142 off 173 deliveries, laced with 19 boundaries and a six. Bairstow, on the other hand, bettered his last inning’s century with another as he remained unbeaten on 114 off 145 balls with the help of 15 boundaries and a six.

For his centuries in both innings of the match, Bairstow was adjudged as the Player of the Match. Whereas, Root was named the Player of the Series for his 737 runs and two wickets.

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Root, Bairstow firm as England eye to level the series

Posted on by A Sports

BIRMINGHAM: England’s dependable pair of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow stood firm with their unbeaten 150-run partnership before the openers provided a solid start as the home side need 119 runs to level the series.

In the rescheduled fifth Test of the series, India set England a huge target of 378 after being bowled out for 245 in the second session.

The right-handed middle-order batter Cheteshwar Pujara and last inning’s centurion Rishabh Pant were the pick of the batters as they both scored important half-centuries, while the rest of the batters could not score big.

Pujara top-scored with 66 off 168, laced with eight boundaries, while Pant bettered his last inning’s century with 57 off 86 with the help of as many boundaries.

For England, captain Ben Stokes led from the front with his four wickets, while Matthew Potts and Stuart Broad bagged two each. James Anderson, on the other hand, made one scalp.

In the run chase, the hosts were off to a flying start as their struggling opening pair stood up for their team in an important situation and laid a solid foundation for the run chase with a magnificent 107-run opening stand.

The left-handed opener Zack Crawley, who was eyeing his sixth Test century, fell four short of it as the Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah castled him for 46. He faced 76 balls and smashed seven boundaries in the course of his outstanding knock.

Crawley’s departure triggered a frustrating collapse as England lost two more wickets after adding just as many runs to their total and slipped to 109/3 with Alex Lees, who brought up his second Test fifty falling victim to a mixup between the wickets after scoring 56 off 65 deliveries.

With the side struggling at 109/3, Root and Bairstow showcased grit and put on an astounding 150-run partnership to put England in the commanding position before the conclusion of the fourth day.

Bairstow scored an unbeaten 72 off just 87 balls, while England’s top-scorer in the inning – Root is unbeaten with his 76 on 112 balls, including nine boundaries.

The duo will now resume England’s run chase on the final day of the rescheduled fifth Test at 259/3 as the hosts need a further 119 runs.

READ: Renuka, openers power India to claim series triumph against Sri Lanka 

Bumrah powers India to dominate England on second day at Edgbaston

Posted on by A Sports

BIRMINGHAM: India stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball after smashing Stuart Broad for the costliest over in the Test history to drive his team towards a dominant position as England were reduced to 84/5 on a rain-hit second day in the rescheduled final test, here at Edgbaston.

India were bowled out for a mammoth 416 after all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja reached his second Test hundred in the first inning. Indian skipper Bumrah played a late cameo of 31 runs, taking the veteran pacer Broad to the task, who conceded 35 runs in an over.

After a rough first day with the bowl, England displayed a dismal batting show as Bumrah stormed through the host’s top order grabbing three early wickets. Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope were sent back to the pavilion by the skipper at regular intervals amid the spells of rain.

England star batter Joe Root managed to survive India’s furious pace attack for a brief before he fell prey to Mohammad Siraj on 31 in a caught-behind wicket just before the conclusion of the day.

Meanwhile, nightwatchman Jack Leech proved futile in serving the purpose as he was efficiently removed by Mohammad Shami on a duck.

England will resume the proceedings of the third day with the overnight score of 84/5 with skipper Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow on the crease.

READ: Bumrah overtakes Brian Lara to score most runs in an over in Test cricket

Pant’s century rescues India after early collapse on the opening day

Posted on by A Sports

BIRMINGHAM: India’s wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant bailed off the touring side from the horror with a magnificent knock of 146 runs after the English pacemen tested the top order on the opening day of the rescheduled fifth Test.

With the touring side struggling at 98/5, Pant and Ravindra Jadeja came to the rescue and put on an astounding 222-run partnership to see off the trouble.

At the toss of the rescheduled fifth Test between the two sides, England’s newly-appointed captain Ben Stokes put the touring side into bat first after the coin flipped in his favour.

Batting first, India were off to a dismal start as the veteran pacer James Anderson removed both their openers Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply for a combined score of 46. Gill scored 17, while Pujara could only add 13 to his name.

Following the early horror, Hanuma Vihari and the former Indian captain Virat Kohli looked to anchor the innings and batted sensibly in a bid to ease the pressure.

However, Matthew Potts’s successive strikes trumped their effort; removing both the batters in a span of exactly two overs and causing India to slip to 71/4. The right-arm pacer trapped Vihari in his legs for 20 before casting the former top-ranked batter Kohli for 11.

Anderson then struck his third to add to the touring side’s misery as he removed Shreyas Iyer for a mere 15, courtesy of an astonishing catch behind the wicket by Sam Billings.

Pant and Jadeja then stood up for their side and batted sensibly to avoid the horror as they batted for around 39 overs and added 222 runs at a rapid pace.

The pair appeared unmoved with Pant amassing his fifth Test century on just 89 deliveries and Jadeja bringing up his outstanding half-century.

However, the England captain’s unusual tactics worked for him as the part-timer Joe Root struck gold for his side in just his third over; removing the dangerous Pant, who fell just four short of his 150. In his terrific knock of 144, the left-hander faced just 111 deliveries and smashed 23 boundaries including four sixes.

Following Pant’s exit, Stokes wasted no time to draw another success for his side as he removed the tailender, Shardul Thakur, for one in the next over.

The pair of Jadeja and Mohammed Shami then batted for the remaining five overs and added a crucial 15 runs to the team’s total before the rain-hit opening day concluded with India stable at 338/7.

Jadeja, who is just 17 short of his third Test hundred and Shami (0*) will now resume the proceedings for the touring side on the second day.

For England, Anderson shone again with three wickets, while Potts bagged two. Skipper Stokes, on the other hand, made one scalp.

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Buttler to lead as ECB announces white-ball squad for India series

Posted on by A Sports

LONDON: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the white-ball squads for their home series against India under the leadership of newly-appointed captain Jos Buttler.

Buttler, who took up the captaincy role yesterday after England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan hung up his boots from international cricket, will be leading a completely different side in T20Is from their ongoing fifth Test against India.

The Lancashire seamer Richard Gleeson earned his maiden T20I call-up and could make his debut in the forthcoming home series against India. He is the joint-most leading English wicket-taker in the ongoing Vitality Blast, having taken 20 wickets.

 

Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Jonny Bairstow, however, will be part of the ODI squad. Meanwhile, Root’s inclusion in the ODIs will result in Dawid Malan losing his spot at No.3.

The young all-rounder Harry Brook, named in both ODI and T20I squads is likely to be the main beneficiary of Morgan’s retirement and looks set for an opportunity in the middle order.

 

England’s key leg spinner Adil Rashid, who will miss the series in order to make the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, provided a long-awaited opportunity to Matt Parkinson, who will be playing his first white-ball international after nearly a year.

The home side will lock horns with India in three T20Is and as many ODIs from July 7 to 17.

READ: India announce squads for T20I and ODI series against England

Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in the fifth Test against England

Posted on by A Sports

NEW DELHI: The right-arm pacer Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in the fifth rescheduled Test against England as India’s all-format captain Rohit Sharma has been sidelined after contracting Covid-19.

The right-arm pacer Bumrah will be taking up the captaincy role for the first time while playing representative cricket at any level. Whereas, he has also become the first pacer after Kapil Dev to lead India.

Bumrah will be the second Indian captain in the ongoing Pataudi Trophy, which the touring side lead 2-1 as Virat Kohli was in charge for the first four Tests before the fifth and final Test was postponed indefinitely over the Covid-19 outbreak in the Indian camp.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), on the other hand, have also revealed their Playing XI for the fifth Test, scheduled to commence tomorrow. The veteran right-arm pacer James Anderson has returned to the lineup after recovering from an ankle injury.

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Anderson returns as England announce Playing XI for home India Test

Posted on by A Sports

LONDON: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the Playing XI for their home fifth and final Test against India, veteran pacer James Anderson returned after recovering from an injury.

The hosts England have revealed their lineup for the fifth and final Test of England’s previously scheduled series, which was postponed due to concerns about the Covid-19.

England’s veteran pacer, who missed the final Test against New Zealand of the recently-concluded series due to an ankle injury, has recovered and has been added to the Playing XI for India Test. Whereas, his replacement Jamie Overton remained unable to make it to the side.

 

It is pertinent to mention here that India are yet to reveal their captain for the Test as Rohit Sharma is doubtful after contracting the widely spread virus, while the deputy KL Rahul was ruled out of the entire tour as he will be travelling to Germany for the treatment.

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