England sealed a tense win at Lord's with just 22 runs to spare after an enthralling final day ended with Mohammed Siraj playing onto his stumps. Here's all the talking points from an epic third Test.
Needle ramps up as series gets tighter
There are few better sights in Test cricket than both sides going at each other, with tempers flaring in an evening session. Day three delivered that, with Shubman Gill seething at Zak Crawley as stumps drew in, and a previously gently moving game suddenly almost boiling over. Credit also to Crawley for adding comedic affect by turning and marching back to the pavilion after the last ball was bowled so defiantly that the bails had barely been taken off.
That needle continued to ramp up over the following two days, with Mohammed Siraj fined for sending off Ben Duckett on day four, and both sets of players risking ICC sanctions with animated celebrations. While the series has mostly been played evenly tempered previously, the tighter it gets, the more tempers will fray over the course of two immense Tests.
Over-rates and delays dominate first half
Before it bubbled up into a thrilling finish, the first couple of days of the Test passed by with the most notable talking points having little to do with the cricket played. Slow over-rates and frequent delays to play led to more than 20 overs left unbowled across the first two days, as well as more complaints over this batch of Duke’s. The umpires bore the brunt of most of this criticism, with their decision to change the ball only at the end of a drinks break on day three copping them significant flak.
If the balls are to be a constant theme through the rest of the series, a more efficient way of dealing with constant complaints from the fielding side over its shape and condition must be found. India managed to get the ball changed twice in the morning session of day two, having asked for it to be checked countless times. Joe Root proposed a quota be put in place over how many times teams can ask for the ball to be checked, with England also raising the point several times during their time on the field. The overriding factor in this is that this batch of Duke’s balls has and will likely continue to become far more placid than usual after a much shorter time, leaving both bowling attacks with a narrow window of opportunity they mustn’t waste.
Archer’s glorious return
The ball Jofra Archer bowled Rishabh Pant with on day five was perfect in every way. Angling in, just nipping off the surface at pace, off-stump cartwheeling with Pant stuck still at the crease in shock. Add into that the enormity of the wicket and the send off, it was pure theatre, the kind Archer has delivered several times at Lord’s.
Having made his return in all the glory it deserved, throwing off those injury shackles which have plagued him for four years, England now have a question on their hands as to how best to manage him going forward. All the focus so far has been on getting him back on the Test park, now that question becomes how to keep him there.
Sundar and Carse star all-round
Both India and England’s lower-order all-rounders played significant parts in keeping their respective sides in the game right to the death. Brydon Carse put on an immensely valuable partnership with Jamie Smith in England’s first innings, coming in when three wickets had fallen in as many overs, and facing a Bumrah hat-trick. Washington Sundar played a similar role in India’s first innings, beefing out India’s tail again and putting on 50 crucial runs with Ravindra Jadeja, meaning India didn’t concede a lead.
Sundar’s more crucial contribution came with the ball, however, when he rattled through England’s middle-order on day four with four wickets, setting up a big finish. In light of how close India got on the final day, Carse‘s double strike of Karun Nair and Gill the night before proved decisive, as if India had seen off the new-ball period with another wicket or two in hand, they may well have got over the line. Whether Carse will play the next Test will be a question asked in the next week, having played all of the first three and taken on a significant bowling load.
India sweat on Pant injury
After copping a blow to his fingers on day one, Pant didn’t keep for the rest of the Test, and required significant treatment while batting. There’s a longer gap in between this game and the next, but keeping Pant in the side will be crucial to India’s chances of sealing a series-win. With their tail shaky – regardless of its tenacity on day five at Lord’s – middle-order runs are of increased importance, and the ones Pant has scored in the series so far have been crucial.
If his injury keeps him out, India will likely include Dhruv Jurel rather than give the gloves to KL Rahul. It would be a significant challenge for him to fill the enormous hole Pant’s absence would leave. Initial indications are positive for India, however, as Shubman Gill mentioned in the post-match press conference that Pant hasn't suffered a major injury and should be available for the next game.
Will Bashir play in Manchester?
England have their own injury problem to worry about. Before taking a memorable final wicket, Shoaib Bashir sustained an injury to his hand during the first innings, and didn’t bowl again until the final day's play. When he did come back on, he had heavy strapping on the little finger of his left hand. The fitness of their chosen lead spinner will trouble England, Bashir is currently fourth in England's wicket-taker standings for the series and has bowled by far the most overs of any of their bowlers.
While Bashir’s fitness status is not currently clear, England have several options to replace him. There’s the possibility of getting Jacob Bethell into the side, which was floated as an option ahead of the Lord’s Test anyway. Bethell would bat in the middle-order, or potentially replace a top-order batter, and combine with Joe Root to make up the spin attack. There’s also the other specialists around the country, primarily Jack Leach and Liam Dawson, with a call to be made closer to the game at Old Trafford and after a look at the surface. England may also toy with the idea of fielding an all-seam attack, leaving Root as the only spinner.
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