Former England batter Mark Butcher has criticised India for the timing of their declaration on day four at Edgbaston, labelling how late they called time on their innings "ridiculous".
India carried on batting well past Tea on day four in Birmingham, setting England a huge target of 608 to get with 18 overs left to bat in the evening before the final day. England lost three quick wickets before the close of play, with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Joe Root all back in the dressing room. However, the timing of India's decision came in for some criticism, particularly given the likelihood of rain taking time out of India's time to take the remaining wickets on day five.
The start of play was delayed by more than 90 minutes on day five, due to showers around the ground. Play was able to get underway at 12:40 local time, with 80 overs set to be bowled assuming no further rain delays. There is still a possibility of showers around Birmingham until the middle of the afternoon.
England coach Marcus Trescothick: We're not stupid enough to rule out the draw
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2nd Test, England vs India
Butcher: 'India have offered England a lifeline'
Speaking on Sky Sports TV coverage before play was able to begin, Butcher was highly critical of India's decision not to declare earlier on day four and allow themselves more time to bowl England out.
"It [the rain] really does give England ever more incentive to knuckle down and secure the draw out of this one," said Butcher. "They've been outplayed for four days but they've been offered a lifeline not only by the weather but by the frankly ridiculous length of time it took for that declaration to come yesterday."
Fellow commentator Ian Ward added to Butcher's sentiment: "We didn't think it would rain this hard last night but when we were chatting we did say if England get out of it with a draw it would be like a custard pie to the face of India."
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Butcher continued: "It's all very well, you have the slight fear of England and Bazball and the pitch being flat and coming out and chasing. But I couldn't think of any reason whatsoever as to why it took so long before pulling the plug yesterday.
"In doing so, despite taking the three wickets last night, giving the opposition England every incentive and motivation to be able to hang on in there and go to Lord's with a 1-0 lead, frankly England won't have deserved it but you take it don't you? It's part of winning a series, it's part of being ruthless and it would be a real feather on the cap of this side if they can hang on and do it.
Despite the overs lost and rain forecast, England face an uphill battle to bat out for a draw on day five. Ollie Pope was bowled by Akash Deep in the fourth over of the day, and Harry Brook was trapped in front two overs later to leave the hosts reeling at 83-5 at the time of writing.
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