Key events
He’s a class act, whose timeless style is an antidote to modern life. But enough about Andy Bull – here he is paying tribute to Shubman Gill.
England fans, I hope you’re proud of your cowardice. It’s raining at Edgbaston and the covers are on.
“Hi Rob,” begins Andrew Goudie. “Are we likely to have an on-time start?” And have India confirmed that Bumrah will play at Lord’s? Here’s the overseas TMS link.”
No (because it’s just starting raining), no (but he will), thank you.
“Yesterday really took me back,” writes Will Vignoles. “An opponent ruthlessly putting the foot on the throat before making a mockery of talk of roads by peeling off a succession of jaffas. Who doesn’t love a bit of nostalgia!”
Weather watch
There’s a chance of showers this morning but I suspect no more than 10-15 overs will be lost. England need to do this off their own ideally dead bat.
Preamble
Maturity comes in many forms, from sober wardrobes to sensible haircuts to the uncomplaining recognition that life is inherently futile and we’re all going to die. The same is true for this England cricket team.
At Headingley they chased 371 in a calculated manner that would have been impossible three years ago, but the process of maturity never really stops. Twelve days on from that run-chase, England have an even more difficult task: batting out the final day to secure a result they have previously disdained.
England will resume on 72 for 3, needing a further 536 runs to win, after losing both openers and Joe Root last night during a sizzling new-ball burst from Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj. An old-school batting line-up would fancy their chances of survival but England haven’t tried to bat for a draw in almost four years. You can’t just press a button to go into Defensive Mode.
A heavy, humbling defeat – or, from the Indian perspective, a huge, richly deserved victory – is the likeliest scenario. But if England grind out a draw, the cricket world will see them through different-eyes. And nobody will be in any doubt that Team Bazball has matured.
