India’s resurgence continued at the Ageas Bowl as the tourists toppled England in 76.4 overs on a day in which the top order once again found themselves in a hole and Rob Key went rock-climbing. Here’s all you need to know…
SCORECARD | HIGHLIGHTS | AS IT HAPPENED
The Report
Sam Curran came to England’s rescue once again as another dismal batting performance from the hosts’ top order saw them bowled out for 246 after opting to bat first in the fourth Test against India at the Ageas Bowl, writes Kalika Mehta at the Ageas Bowl.
Jasprit Bumrah (3-46) and Ishant Sharma (2-26) did most of the early damage as Keaton Jennings (0), Joe Root (4), Jonny Bairstow (6) and Alastair Cook (17) all fell cheaply on the opening morning.
2:46 Watch the pick of the action from the opening day of the fourth Test
On his Test recall, 20-year-old Curran came to the crease just after lunch with the hosts perilously placed on 86-6 and put on an impressive 81-run seventh-wicket partnership with the returning Moeen Ali (40).
Moment of the day
It was Keaton Jennings’ misfortune to fall to the ball of the day – Mike Atherton calling Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery ‘incredible’, whether to a left or right-hander! Jennings, only too aware of his tendency to nick off, left well alone outside off only to fall over a booming inswinger that hit him bang in front. Natural variation? Not a chance – close analysis of the seam position showing Bumrah had every intention of that ball swinging back in.
Stat of the Day
In their entire history, England have played 235 Test series of at least two matches, report CricViz. This series, England’s top four are averaging 17.70 – the lowest for all but five of those series.
Talking Point
Is it time to jettison Jennings- and if so, for whom? There was plenty of debate on social media following the left-hander’s latest failure in testing conditions – Jennings averaging 16.56 against pace bowling in Test cricket. The inevitable question is who comes in? With the Oval hosting the fifth and final match of the series, Rory Burns’ name is foremost in more than a few minds having scored consistently for four seasons or so. A hefty contribution in the second innings would go a long way to making the selectors’ collective lives a lot easier. Check out Rob Key’s view…
0:29 Watch how Rob Key fared on his intrepid rock climbing attempt
What they said
Sam Curran: “To be fair I did think India bowled well with the new ball – there were a couple of very good balls in there and you can’t really complain too much. It probably swung more than we thought the whole day, which is positive going into tomorrow. The lads are a bit disappointed not to get a few big scores up the order but sometimes you’ve just got to accept it was good bowling.”
Rob Key: “They were relentless, all four Indian seamers just did not let up, probably until Curran came in and the ball got a bit older. It was sustained pressure. Yes, England are low on confidence, especially the top order, but that was an exhibition in swing bowling from people who weren’t used to bowling in these conditions. That was some seriously good bowling.”
Mike Atherton: “Cook played pretty well and it was a diligent innings; he is still, I think, head and shoulders above other openers in the country – although he is very short of runs. Concentration is not an issue but when you are a bit short of runs and a bit out of nick and you’re searching for shots, that’s the nature of it.”
4:41 England's Sam Curran joined Ian Ward and Rob Key at the Sky Kart
Tweets of the Day
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