Key events
KK Nair’s been having a pre-session chinwag with Sky on his return to the team: “It’s been amazing, what I’ve dreamed of, to finally be here and get this opportunity feels amazing,” he chirps. “I’ve always been prepared to bat wherever the team wants and I was told a couple of days ago I’d probably bat at three and was mentally well prepared for that. It’s a good chance to set up the game for the team. There are two different ways of playing [compared with at No 6] and as a batsman you have to be prepared to do both. I think we’re in a very good position, it’s about this morning’s session and continuing the partnership will be beneficial to us.”
As regards those late-order collapses, Nair says it’s “100% something that has to be discussed but not something we’re too worried about. It can happen and it’s our responsibility to stop it.”
Not cricket-related but some awful, tragic news:
Preamble
Morning/afternoon everyone. Round we go again then. As at Headingley, Ben Stokes won the toss yesterday and inserted India, whose captain made a composed century while England’s most potent bowler was a 30-something stalwart and the day ended with the tourists seemingly having compiled a commanding score.
The first session today should tell us a good deal more about how commanding it really is, and whether India’s team selection – which appeared to be more aimed at not losing the last Test than winning this one – has paid off. It’s been a batter’s series so far and England’s top seven will be looking forward to having a go on a thus-far placid surface against an attack missing Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.
Anyway, the Edgbaston forecast is set fair – warm and dry but with the temperature not matching the horrors of earlier in the week – and the game could go in any direction. Let’s tuck in. Play starts at 11am BST.
