Key events
And Simon on Mohammed Siraj, India’s rubber band of energy, and his fatal step back.
Some great writing by the team at The Oval yesterday:
Ali’s match report:
Barney’s homage to Harry Brook:
Preamble
After five Tests of high-class and at times chaotic cricket, it all comes down to this – half a session, if you’re lucky, 35 runs and four wickets.
With every sinew of every body in these two weary teams stretched to an E, it is almost-cruel to make them do battle again. But for us, fat in our armchairs, it is an umbrella on the cocktail – a last chance to see Siraj, eyes wild, at the top of his mark, to watch Jamie Smith setting sail for series victory at his home ground. Whether last night’s high tension quickly dissolves to bathos, we find out when play starts, at 11am.
At least it should start at 11am. While it is chucking it down here in Manchester, as Storm Floris takes hold, things look better in London. Our man on the ground Jim Wallace reports that a sunny morning has turned grey, but there is no rain yet.
Do join us for this final morning of nervous anticipation, to chew over the series a last time, or to look forward to what it means for England’s Ashes hopes or Shubman Gill’s young Indian team.
