Highlights, India vs England, 4th Test in Southampton, Day 3, Full Cricket Score: Hosts lead by 233 at stumps

Shami breaks the stand off what turns out to be the last ball of the day. With two wickets to go, you can expect Sam Curran to come out swinging tomorrow morning and extend this lead as much as possible. Right now, it stands at 233 runs, and while India will be confident about chasing this down, there will be quite some confidence in the hosts’ camp too. This is turning out to be another engaging Test like Birmingham, albeit on a different kind of pitch.

India have chased a target of 200-plus only once outside Asia in the fourth innings of a Test match. They chased a target of 403 runs against Windies at Port of Spain in 1976. It will be interesting to see what target India will get tomorrow.

Stumps, Day 3

England end the day with 260 on the scoreboard and are 233 runs ahead. They still have two more wickets in hand with Sam Curran still out there. India will not breathe easy until they bowl them out, neither are England assured of their position. Still it could be anybody’s game, very evenly poised, perhaps England might just have their noses ahead. Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three wickets in the day. Jennings and Root did start well, but both dismissed by Shami, pinned the former and caught Root napping with a bull’s eye. Stokes and Buttler got England back on track, Ashwin had the better of Stokes again after doing bulk of the bowling throughout the day. Buttler went on to stich another important half-century. Curran showed his class with the bat once again. Eight wickets fell in the day as England scored 254 runs on the third day.

After 91.5 overs,England 260/7 ( Sam Curran 37 , )

Curran gets a poke past the cordon for a single to third man. Rashid with a tentative push to Rahane at gully which goes on the bounce. Pant takes a simple catch as Rashid edges one off Shami of the penultimate delivery of the day.

Yes he can! OUT! Right in the corridor outside the off stump and Rashid didn’t know whether to play or leave, hangs his bat out, takes the edge to the keeper and Shami takes his third. Again, right just before close of play.
 

Adil Rashid c R Pant b M Shami 11(22)

Shami runs in to bowl the last over of Day three, will he be able to strike like he did just before lunch?

After 91 overs,England 259/7 ( Sam Curran 36 , Adil Rashid 11)

Ashwin comes on to bowl his 35th over and beat the clock so that India can have another go with Shami from the other end. Rashid gets forward and defends almost on loop as Ashwin more or less maintains the same line and length. A bat pad and a gully was in waiting, but apart from the last ball that went off the inside edge there was no real interest for them.

If you have been watching Indian cricket for two decades, add Sam Curran’s name to the list of cricketers who have tormented India in Test series. Most of them left-handers – Jimmy Adams, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Saeed Anwar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Matthew Hayden, Gary Kirsten…. Meanwhile, lead is past 230.

Ashwin is brought on too quicky sneak in an over.

After 90 overs,England 259/7 ( Sam Curran 36 , Adil Rashid 11)
 

Singles on either side of the boundary from Rashid. Play and a miss for Curran as ball doesn’t rise enough and sneakes under his bottom edge. Six runs came off the 90th over of the innings

FOUR! Rashid it carves it past point for another boundary. Just outside the channel from Shami and Rashid punching it with an angled bat face punching it through point.

After 89 overs,England 253/7 ( Sam Curran 35 , Adil Rashid 6)

Rashid defends a couple of deliveries well off the back foot. Ajinkya Rahane moves to a short point for Curran, who likes cutting and punching it through that region, and because he plays it uppishly, it is a good move from Kohli. Ishant sprays one down the leg side and Pant grabs at it unsuccessfully, leaking a bye of the last ball. Five overs left in the day, but really doubt we will get them all as just eight minutes are left in third day’s play.

After 88 overs,England 251/7 ( Sam Curran 35 , Adil Rashid 5)
 

England goes past their first innings score with a french cut from Adil Rashid to fine leg. Another over ends with a boundary that takes England past 250 adding to India’s frustration.

FOUR! Boundaries continue to flow. Back of a length and was way outside off. Curran jumps on the backfoot and flays it over the cordon for a boundary to third man fence. Intentionally played over the slips and again very well executed.

Mohammed Shami replaces Jasprit Bumrah

After 87 overs,England 245/7 ( Sam Curran 30 , Adil Rashid 4)

Rashid first shows his solid defence by getting right behind the line of the ball and then shows he can even score runs with a terrific flick off the middle stump to end the over with a boundary. England inch towards 250.

FOUR! Wow! Adil Rashid with a wristy flick to square leg boundary. Full and straight from Ishant and Rashid with an nonchalant whip. Quality.

After 86 overs,England 241/7 ( Sam Curran 30 , Adil Rashid 0)

Curran quickly brushes away the joy that Buttler’s wicket brought to the Indian camp with couple of delightful boundaries hit with such authority and it was Bumrah, who was at the receiving end.

The highest target successfully chased by a team against England in the fourth innings of a Test in England in this decade is 322 by Windies at Leeds. Only in a mad world would India fancy chasing that.

FOUR! Lovely, isn’t it. This was a half-volley outside off and Curran this time gets it to the right of the mid off fielder for a boundary. Two back-to-back boundaries thanks to couple of quality strokes. Sweet sound on impact.

FOUR! Top shot from Sam Curran down the ground, beats mid off to its left. Was not too bad a delivery from Bumrah. Curran presents the full face of the bat and punches with such aplomb

Adil Rashid walks out to the middle

After 85 overs,England 233/7 ( Sam Curran 22 , )

Two slips and a gully that is standing well ahead of the cordon for Sam Curran. A neat to deep point allows Curran to get to the other end. Understandably, Ishant starts his spell over the wicket than his preferred round the stumps to the left-hander as he has been warned twice in this innings. No gully for Buttler, which is later taken off for Curran as well. Four runs come off the over, but Ishant gets the important wicket of Jos Buttler. England retain their review by the virtue of Umpire’s call.

OUT! Slanted in and some more late movement into Buttler does him in. Ishant Sharma strikes in his first over with the second new ball. Plays outside the line of the ball, a little shuffle across the stumps also doesn’t help him. Dharmasena rules it out and it remains the same after DRS taken, but the pitching is fine, so is the impact and it was hitting the wickets on Umpire’s call. Good hand from Buttler comes to an end.

J Buttler lbw b Ishant 69(122)

Ishant Sharma finally replaces R Ashwin.

After 84 overs,England 228/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 66 , Sam Curran 20)

Bumrah does get a couple of deliveries to skid through, but nothing too threatening for Buttler as he leaves and blocks with not much trouble. Maiden.

Right then, Jasprit Bumrah is called back. Two slips and a gully i.e. almost a fourth slip.

After 83 overs,England 228/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 66 , Sam Curran 20)

New ball, but same old bowler, as Ashwin begins into his 34th over. Curran with a fierce boundary to end the over. A boundary that brings a 50-run stand for the 7th wicket. Important runs this and with it England’s lead goes over 200.

FOUR! Some loop from Ashwin and it is wide outside off. Curran doesn’t have to worry about the turn with the new ball. Doesn’t even get to the pitch of the ball, he just thrashes into the delivery to send it scurrying to cover fence

Second new ball has been taken and it is R Ashwin who will continue with it.

After 82 overs,England 223/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 65 , Sam Curran 16)

Buttler rotates the strike with a single to square leg. Curran pulls a head high short delivery nicely to deep square leg for one. Drop and run from Buttler, with a slight bit of hesitation, the bowler runs and shies at the non-striker’s end. Misses and Ashwin has to put in a full length dive at mid off to save overthrows. He does it successfully. Couple of more runs as Curran cuts it through cover and mid off, making it another five run over.

After 81 overs,England 218/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 63 , Sam Curran 13)

Nope. The second new ball isn’t taken, neither has Ashwin been taken off the attack. The tweaker comes and sends down another maiden.

After 80 overs,England 218/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 63 , Sam Curran 13)

Pandya’s former Mumbai Indians teammate Buttler creams the half-volley through the covers for a boundary and cautiously negates the rest of the over. The second new ball will be on offer for India after this over.

FOUR! Hardik delivers a customary half-volley outside off asking for the batsman to hit and Buttler is in too good a mood to miss out. Drives it to cover boundary.

After 79 overs,England 214/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 59 , Sam Curran 13)

Ashwin into his 32nd over now. He delivers a maiden to Curran, who ably defends the off spinner, the straighter one and the carrom ball.

After 78 overs,England 214/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 59 , Sam Curran 13)
 

These two are now building a nice little partnership here. Collecting four runs off the first five balls with the field spread wide. Buttler ends Hardik’s over with a boundary. England lead by 187.

FOUR! Little width on offer outside off and Buttler glides it nicely past the slip fielder and beats the wide man protecting the third man boundary

After 77 overs,England 206/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 52 , Sam Curran 12)

After few ordinary Test, Buttler has found himself among runs, a century in the third Test and now he has raised his 9th Test fifty. Ashwin gets on to jump off length, pitches on leg and beats Curran’s prod, flies over the outside edge and finishes over the off stump, hitting Pant around shoulder. The close in fielders thought there might be an edge, even Ashwin was interested in it, but Pant wasn’t able to hold on. Probably Curran didn’t get anything. The physio runs out to attend Pant, who is clearly in some pain. After the delay, Curran plays out the remainder of Ashwin’s over cautiously.

50 for Buttler and what an innings this is turning out to be. Clutch controlled really, and setting up the game, one way or other. Lead is now 179 as England have crossed 200. It is dangerous territory at the moment, for another wicket will mean the unbeaten batsman will go on attack mode. Anything above 220 and India will be wary.

FIFTY! Takes the ball on the full and drives it handsomely through covers that brings up another half-century for Jos Buttler. Another important knock from England’s wicket-keeper, still some work to do for him to take his side to position of security. So far it has been a well compiled innings.

After 76 overs,England 201/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 47 , Sam Curran 12)

Curran brings up England’s 200 with a single that is welcomed with loud cheer and applause from the Poms. We see Shami warming up, he might have a burst before the second new ball, that will be made available after 4 overs after this. Buttler gets a single to cover and Curran somehow plays a rising delivery, almost climbing over his shoulders with a straight bat. Drinks are called on.

After 75 overs,England 199/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 46 , Sam Curran 11)

Full and on middle from Ashwin. A wristy flick from Sam Curran, which was so full of grace earns him couple of runs through midwicket. Ashwin goes around the wicket for a couple deliveries. Curran is tempted to play at a wide delivery outside off, he retracts after thinking of playing the ball that was turning away. Pant is unable to gather it cleanly, allowing England to add two more to their total via byes. Ashwin returns to over with wicket with a leg gully, an addition catcher, Curran tucks it well for a single to square leg.

After 74 overs,England 194/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 46 , Sam Curran 8)

Hardik clocking above 135 clicks, trying to get something out of the surface. Buttler defends and drives solidly. Nudges the last ball to deep square leg and runs two easily. Still 20 overs remaining in the day.

Ravi Ashwin is the only bowler to dismiss Ben Stokes more than 10 times in international cricket. This was the 11th time that he dismissed him.

After 73 overs,England 192/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 44 , Sam Curran 8)

Couple of singles of either end of the over for both batsmen. Ashwin slips in one or two good deliveries every over, but isn’t able to do it with consistency. He lands one close to the footmarks and beats Buttler.

After 72 overs,England 190/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 43 , Sam Curran 7)

Excellent cricket from Sam Curran first for calling out a straight ‘No’when he placed the ball to mid wicket and then after the boundary, he gently pushed towards mid off and set off for a quick and well-judged single. Buttler trusts Curran and makes it easily. Buttler tries to run it down to third man, but gets it a little to fine and the ball goes to Kohli standing at wide first slip on the bounce. Holding on air feels there isn’t enough in the pitch for the ball to carry, the ball is over 70 overs old too.

FOUR! Overpitched outside off by Pandya giving a free scoring opportunity to Curran. Perfect length to drive and the left-hander doesn’t disappoint. The ball races to point boundary.

After 71 overs,England 185/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 43 , Sam Curran 2)

Buttler slaps a short and wide delivery from Ashwin to deep mid wicket for two. Turns the strike using the depth of the crease and working it behind square. A little-yes and no as Curran turns it to square leg, they make it safely in the end. In between Ashwin gets one to turn viciously and purchases some bounce a well. Curran did well to not get an edge there.

After 70 overs,England 181/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 40 , Sam Curran 1)

Ooh, Hardik just goes past Buttler’s outside edge. Buttler collects a single to third man. Curran ducks under the bouncer. Defends the last two deliveries carefully.

After 69 overs,England 180/6 ( Jos Buttler (W) 39 , Sam Curran 1)

Ashwin’s toil is finally paid off. He has Stokes and just when the balance of the game was tilting towards the home team, India strike back. First innings’ top scorer, Sam Curran strides out and gets off the mark.

Wicket for Ashwin. You just got the feeling that he was getting closer and closer… low catch from Rahane, who was standing at a wider slip angle. Ashwin fired that into the blockhole, outfoxing Stokes who took it low on his bat. If Ashwin did think that out, it’s a superb dismissal. Lead is 151. England must be hoping for 220 atleast.

OUT! Ashwin has a wicket! He has Stokes! He runs in disbelief, there is grief at Stokes’ end, who has battled his way to 30 off the 109 balls he faced, until the next got him edging it to first slip. Full delivery from Ashwin, Stokes was looking to jam it out, but instead gets an outside edge to first slip. India celebrate.

B Stokes c A Rahane b R Ashwin 30(110)

After 68 overs,England 178/5 ( Ben Stokes 30 , Jos Buttler (W) 38)

These two keep ticking on as they take the lead beyond 150. A boundary the only runs coming off the over.

FOUR! Half-volley outside off from Hardik and all Buttler does it drives it through covers to pick another boundary for himself.

After 67 overs,England 174/5 ( Ben Stokes 30 , Jos Buttler (W) 34)

With that boundary off Ashwin, Stokes enters the 30s while the partnership has now gone past 50-run mark

FOUR! Forced off the back foot from Ben Stokes. A touch short outside off from Ashwin and Stokes punches it through covers.

And there, India lose second review. Keeper’s call that, and Ashwin didn’t really appeal there. Not sure why they needed a review.

NOT OUT! Rishabh Pant was very confident in his appeal for a caught behind against Jos Buttler. After some discussion, Virat, goes for the review, but there is no spike on UltraEdge. Buttler is safe. India lose their final review.

There is a reason Ashwin has not taken wickets. For starters, they are not attacking him and treating him with respect, unlike India who try to attack Moeen Ali all the time. The other reasoning is to do with Ashwin’s length. For the majority part, India are in run-saving mode. Additionally, they are dependent on pacers to deliver the wickets because the ball is still seaming past the outside edge. The argument can be made that Ashwin has retreated into the holding role at this moment.

After 66 overs,England 169/5 ( Ben Stokes 26 , Jos Buttler (W) 33)

Buttler clips it behind square for a couple to start Pandya’s first over. He turns the strike off the next ball. Strange lapse of concentration as Stokes attempts a cut with little feet movement. Loose stroke that. He plays and misses. Pandya follows it up with a very good delivery that goes past his outside edge.

Finally, after 65 overs, Hardik Pandya is introduced

After 65 overs,England 166/5 ( Ben Stokes 26 , Jos Buttler (W) 30)

There is still some time before the second new ball is available for the Indian bowlers, making Ashwin’s overs all the more important from India’s perspective. 

Ashwin bowls an almost perfect off break that was flighted enough to draw the right hander forward. The line is outside off and lands around the rough and turns and ‘almost’ goes through the gap between bat and pad. Ashwin cannot repeat it, allowing Butller to get to the other end. Stokes stonewalls.

After 64 overs,England 165/5 ( Ben Stokes 26 , Jos Buttler (W) 29)

The one delivery sprayed down the legside went for four. While Buttler was stood firm in his defence for the rest of the over taking a single off the last ball.

FOUR! Slanted a little way too much by Bumrah. Buttler with a little shuffle across his stumps is able to glide it down to fine leg fence with ease.

After 63 overs,England 160/5 ( Ben Stokes 26 , Jos Buttler (W) 24)

Ashwin continues. After five dots that were safely played out by Stokes, he whips off his back foot through mid wicket for a brace. Stokes has batted for 100 balls in this innings for his 26 runs. He has an added responsiblity as a batsman in this match. He must make his stay count.

After 62 overs,England 158/5 ( Ben Stokes 24 , Jos Buttler (W) 24)

Bumrah starts off with a dipping full delivery to Buttler drawing the batsman to play the flick off his leg and bringing the short mid wicket fielder into play. Smart change up from the bowler. Buttler keeps it along the ground. Buttler takes one run after dabbing to point. Stokes gives Bumrah the charge and the bowler drops it short, which Ben doesn’t fiddle with. He again advances down the track and works it off his hips to long leg for a single of the final ball.

After 61 overs,England 156/5 ( Ben Stokes 23 , Jos Buttler (W) 23)

Couple of flat deliveries to start with from Ashwin. Stokes and Buttler exchange singles. Then Ashwin sticks to over the stumps to Stokes, he bowls slower through the air for the remainder of the over.

After 60 overs,England 154/5 ( Ben Stokes 22 , Jos Buttler (W) 22)

Bumrah squares Ben Stokes up with Bumrah’s delivery straightening off length. Stokes gets to the other end. Buttler blocks the rest of the over.

After 59 overs,England 153/5 ( Ben Stokes 21 , Jos Buttler (W) 22)

Ashwin operating round the stumps with a slip and silly point to Stokes. The left-hander continues to defend stoically after he gets a single with a thick outside edge past first slip. Short leg for Buttler but Ashwin ends the over with a dot down the leg side.

Time for the final session of play to get underway. This will be a long session with 36 overs left in the day. Do not move from your seats as this might well be the most pivotal period of play. 

Ravi Ashwin will commence the last session of Day 3.

The highest target successfully chased by India in the fourth innings of a Test in England is 173 which they did at The Oval in 1971.

Game of cat and mouse continues. England would have been a bit ahead but for that Root run-out. It not only pegged them back but also needed a rebuild, which is not easy given India’s sharp bowling. The match still hangs in balance, with England only ahead by 120-odd. The last session, like yesterday, could be vital.

Tea, Day 3: This match is moving at a snail’s pace largely due to Stokes’ innings. He is deadbatting everything that’s coming his way. Buttler has looked positive but remained uncertain in the corridor of uncertainty. 

Another interesting session coming our way shortly. England lead by 125 at Tea.

After 58 overs,England 152/5 ( Ben Stokes 20 , Jos Buttler (W) 22)

Bumrah to finish the session. Can he end it on a good note for India? The most interesting part of that over was a fan trying to get Dhawan sign an autograph on his shoe of all things. Shikhar obliges. But Bumrah fails to end the session with a wicket.

Final over before Tea.

After 57 overs,England 150/5 ( Ben Stokes 20 , Jos Buttler (W) 20)

Ashwin to bowl his final over before Tea. A single came off it. He has bowled 21 overs now and remains wicketless. Meanwhile, England have reached the 150-run mark and lead by 123 runs.

After 56 overs,England 149/5 ( Ben Stokes 20 , Jos Buttler (W) 19)

This is turning out exactly like the first session. England lost two wickets but had Root and Jennings at the centre. This time around they have Stokes and Buttler. Shami though struck in the final over before Lunch and removed Jennings. Can someone else do that for India here?

But would KP be happy looking at England’s score?

After 55 overs,England 148/5 ( Ben Stokes 20 , Jos Buttler (W) 18)

“One more before Tea, Ash” shouts Pant. But no, nothing. ‘Ash’ is giving his all but a resolute Stokes has been playing him carefully.

After 54 overs,England 146/5 ( Ben Stokes 18 , Jos Buttler (W) 18)

Shami has troubled Buttler by beating him on the outside edge. Repeats that in this over but the thing is his deliveries on the pads are allowing the batsmen to score easy singles. Two of them in this over.

Shami has bowled marvellously today. His rhythm, line and length, everything is on point. Looks a complete pacer when this happens. Now waiting for some reverse to get going. Rahane and Rahul are hard at work on the ball.

After 53 overs,England 144/5 ( Ben Stokes 17 , Jos Buttler (W) 17)

Another four-run over. Ashwin’s wait for a wicket continues. Is it time to give him a break and introduce Bumrah?

After 52 overs,England 140/5 ( Ben Stokes 14 , Jos Buttler (W) 16)

All the runs that Shami conceded in the over were due to stump line deliveries. Easy for batsmen to tuck it through the leg side. Four in the over.

After 51 overs,England 136/5 ( Ben Stokes 13 , Jos Buttler (W) 13)

Buttler almost lobs a return catch to Ashwin. He tries to drive a looped up delivery but it takes the leading edge. Falls well short of Ashwin. A terrific ball but the next delivery kind of explains why Ashwin hasn’t got a wicket. He had induced a false shot from Buttler after looping one up. The next ball? A dart on the leg stump. That not only released the pressure but also gave Buttler a single… Trying too many things is Ashwin.

After 50 overs,England 134/5 ( Ben Stokes 12 , Jos Buttler (W) 12)

Stokes has lasted 58 balls. Buttler has played 12 balls. But the thing is both of them have scored 12 runs. Stokes or Cook? Who is batting at the centre?

FOUR! Shami bowls it with the angle on the middle stump. Buttler shuffles slightly and flicks it through midwicket.

After 49 overs,England 130/5 ( Ben Stokes 12 , Jos Buttler (W) 8)

Ashwin is bowling well now. A wicket seems around the corner. He has started to exploit that rough more.

After 48 overs,England 129/5 ( Ben Stokes 12 , Jos Buttler (W) 7)

The lead has crossed the 100-run mark after the 7-run over. Buttler is not shying away from playing shots although one was an edged boundary. Collects three too with a sublime flick through midwicket.

FOUR! Ishant angles it into Buttler, who get squared up and edges it. The ball though falls short of Kohli at second slip and rolls away to the fence.

After 47 overs,England 122/5 ( Ben Stokes 12 , Jos Buttler (W) 0)

Jos Buttler is the new man in. Ashwin from over the wicket to Stokes. Pitches one on the rough and the ball turns away to beat Stokes on the outside edge.

After 46 overs,England 122/5 ( Ben Stokes 12 , )

A wicket out of nowhere for India. That was a bonus. Now Shami has played a role in the last three wickets. The pressure will be on Stokes now…

Joe Root’s run-out dismissals in Tests:

Till July, 2018: 2
In August, 2018: 2

Whoa… Root is run out for the second time in this series. Shami with a direct throw from mid on and Root is run out going for a tight single. Turning point… massive for the game and England’s hopes of getting a good total on the board. Start from scratch again.

OUT! What a silly way to get dismissed when you are in complete control. Stokes punches it to Shami at mid on and calls Root across. Shami charges towards the ball and hurls a throw at the striker’s end and connects. Root senses that he is short of the crease and starts walking towards the pavilion almost immediately. Replays confirm the same. 

Root run out (Shami) 48(88)

FOUR! Stokes walks down the track to this length ball and punches it down the ground.

After 45 overs,England 118/4 ( Joe Root (C) 48 , Ben Stokes 8)

Back after drinks. The players are hydrated but the wickets continue to elude Ashwin.

After Shami’s twin-breaks, Stokes and Root have redone a bit of damage. Talk in the press box is that England need 170-180 to take this game into day four. As funny as that sounds, that’s not their objective. Talk is also that 250 will be tough to chase in the fourth innings. So ideally, they are targeting 260-280. Means, Root has to double his score atleast.

After 44 overs,England 117/4 ( Joe Root (C) 48 , Ben Stokes 7)

Consecutive maidens for India. Stokes has been a different player in the last two Tests. Has consumed 35 balls for his 7. Meanwhile, Root is a hit away from 50. 
England lead by 90 runs and it’s time for drinks.

After 43 overs,England 117/4 ( Joe Root (C) 48 , Ben Stokes 7)

A video comparison showed that Ashwin’s action is slightly different when compared to the first Test. Lot less use of body at Southampton. Perhaps it has got something to do with the hip strain that was troubling him during third Test. But bowls a much better over here. A testing maiden over.

After 42 overs,England 117/4 ( Joe Root (C) 48 , Ben Stokes 7)

Ishant bowls from over the wicket to Stokes (not out of choice though). An angle he would prefer given how threatening Ishant is from the other angle. Gives three runs and finishes the over with a peach. Root almost edges it to Pant.

After 41 overs,England 114/4 ( Joe Root (C) 48 , Ben Stokes 4)

Double change for India. Ashwin comes into the attack. As Benaud would say: he would try and hit that rough patch. And so he does. A slip, short leg and leg slip are in place. Bowls it short and Root tucks it to fine leg to hand Stokes the strike. Stokes punched that through midwicket for three. The over ends with a couple after Root edges one past the diving slip fielder.

After 40 overs,England 108/4 ( Joe Root (C) 45 , Ben Stokes 1)

Right Kohli’s had enough of Shami. Ishant is into the attack. Bowls four consecutive dots to Root. But overdoes the inswinging delivery on the penultimate delivery and Root clips it away to fine leg. Single taken.

After 39 overs,England 107/4 ( Joe Root (C) 44 , Ben Stokes 1)

As expected, Bumrah bowls three deliveries into Root. Even slips in a yorker which Root plays out safely. The first ball outside off is tapped towards point for a single. Is that out? Rahane thinks so. A length ball from Bumrah. The ball rises as Stokes tries to defend it. But Pant and Kohli think there was no edge. Hell, Bumrah thinks the same and replays confirm that there was not bat involved.

After 38 overs,England 106/4 ( Joe Root (C) 43 , Ben Stokes 1)

Shami is bowling beautifully at the moment. Swings back the second delivery ever so late and the ball whizzes past Root’s outside edge. Concedes a single on the fourth and ends with two dots.

After 37 overs,England 105/4 ( Joe Root (C) 42 , Ben Stokes 1)

Bumrah surprises Stokes with a bouncer and the latter defends it awkwardly. Tries to walk down the pitch on the fourth ball and flick but gets beaten by pace and gets pinged on the pad. A muted appeal from India but nothing from the umpire. Another maiden.

After 36 overs,England 105/4 ( Joe Root (C) 42 , Ben Stokes 1)

The over starts with a boundary. Root is aware that India are trying to traip him LBW with the inswinger. Has been not only aware but confident enough to attack the loose balls. Gets a couple on the third ball. The over ends with three dots.

FOUR! Shami angles it in and Root flicks it through square leg for a boundary; his sixth.

After 35 overs,England 99/4 ( Joe Root (C) 36 , Ben Stokes 1)

A maiden from Bumrah, who is bowling from around the wicket to Stokes. An angle which Ishant likes but will refrain from bowling because of the warnings.

Jonny  Bairstow’s scores since injury in this series:
0, 6, 0

After 34 overs,England 99/4 ( Joe Root (C) 36 , Ben Stokes 1)

Shami tries to get his hattrick with an away swinger but Root dabs it to the backward point fence. Gets off the strike on the second ball with a single. The over ends with another single after Stokes inside edges one on the fifth ball.

Two balls on either side of this lunch break, and Shami has completely undone England’s hard work here. Jennings first and then Bairstow first ball next. You have to wonder if Bairstow should even be playing. Fit enough is not fit. There is a difference mentally even when you play local club cricket if your finger is injured. This is Test cricket. What makes it more glaring that they have dropped Olliver Pope and also left out James Vince, who scored 210-odd runs at this ground last week.

FOUR! Hattrick averted. Full and swinging outside off, Root prods forward and defends it with soft hands. The ball runs through slip cordon. Rahul gives it a chase but to no avail.

After 33 overs,England 93/4 ( Joe Root (C) 31 , Ben Stokes 0)

Bumrah comes into the attack from the other end. A huge LBW shout on the first ball but the umpire is unmoved. India don’t review and replays show it would have been nothing but a waste of time as it was umpire’s call on hitting. A single in the over.

After 32 overs,England 92/4 ( Joe Root (C) 30 , )

What an over from Mohammed Shami. Was excellent at either side of the break. Two wickets in two balls and suddenly Indian fielders have found their voice.

OUT! What a start to the session. They say Shami takes time to get into rhythm. Not this time around. Bowls a lovely inswinger and goes through Bairstow’s defence. The leg stump goes for a walk and Shami is on a hat-trick. 

England four down, lead by 65 runs. 

Bairstow b Shami 0(1)

The players are on the field. Shami will finish his over.

Lunch, Day 3

England’s top three back in the pavilion with just over 90 runs on the board, which effectively reads 65 for 3. The pitch has something for everyone in it. Joe Root has looked beautiful when runs have flown off his bat and he has even been undone several times be it against spin or pace. Match wide open do join us on the other side of the break

OUT! And again there is a wicket as the session was coming to a close. Shami from round the stumps pitches it outside off angling into the left-hander. The ball skidded its way into Jennings’ pads. Stayed a low as well and looked plumb. The ball sneaked under the bat and into the pads. What a time for India to strike. Jennings did review it, but was no good. Kohli is ecstatic as always. Jennings did well to hang around for his 36. This match is well open! 

K Jennings lbw b Shami 36(87)

FOUR! Jennings gets the angled bat down along with pad as his second line of defence. The ball runs down to third man boundary.

After 31 overs,England 87/2 ( Keaton Jennings 32 , Joe Root (C) 29)

Root has looked good while playing strokes on offside. He got forward and again with an open face off the bat slices it past backward point for three. Good running from Root and Jennings. Ashwin started over the wicket to Jennings, who is happy pad the deliveries pitching outside the line of leg stump. We will have one more over before Lunch.

After 30 overs,England 83/2 ( Keaton Jennings 31 , Joe Root (C) 26)

Indian bowlers v Root is becoming an interesting battle here. And as we head towards the end of the session, it is becoming all the more gripping. Shami gets one to dart back in sharply that cuts the English skipper, followed by a leg before shout and the ball again seemed to be going over the stumps. Kohli and Shami did think for a second or two regarding a referral.

FOUR! Straight and full from Shami. Root plants his front foot to the pitch of the ball, taking it on the half-volley and punching it past the bowler, was always going to be four runs then.

After 29 overs,England 77/2 ( Keaton Jennings 30 , Joe Root (C) 21)

Ashwin threatening Root with hitting the rough patches on a regular basis. Another loud LBW appeal from the Indians, but the impact was again outside the line of off. Hawk-Eye suggested the ball would have turned so much that it would have missed the off stump and the impact would have been Umpire’s call.

Root-Jennings partnership is now 50. Probably the best passage of play for England’s top order since… Birmingham really. Been a long time coming and they need more of this. These are good conditions for batting and India are responsible for their own collapse yesterday.

After 28 overs,England 75/2 ( Keaton Jennings 29 , Joe Root (C) 21)

The field is slightly spread with a slightly deep backward point in place, Shami keeps bowling wide of off inviting the cut from Root. He did find the fielder earlier in the over, but the next time Shami bowled, he cleverly played it into the gap.

FOUR! Root waits on a wide delivery that was slightly back of a length and gently pasts the ball on it head to get it fine off the backward point fielder. Well controlled and well executed shot.

After 27 overs,England 71/2 ( Keaton Jennings 29 , Joe Root (C) 17)

Much better from Ravi Ashwin. He starts with a one that is pushed through and follows it with a tossed up delivery that spins quite a bit and went past Jennings’ outside edge. Maiden.

After 26 overs,England 71/2 ( Keaton Jennings 29 , Joe Root (C) 17)

Shami too starts off round the wickets to the left-hander and switches to over the wicket for Root. Couple of dots to start with and then Jennings takes one run to point. Two slips for Root as he plays and misses a delivery.

Mohammed Shami is introduced into the attack

After 25 overs,England 70/2 ( Keaton Jennings 28 , Joe Root (C) 17)

There’s an appeal for LBW, as Root comes forward looking to work it away on the leg side, but the impact was outside the line of off stump. A boundary and five dots in Ashwin’s over.

FOUR! Very nicely done by Joe Root. The ball flighted on middle and leg and was turning down so deploying the sweep was a safe shot. Root executed it nicely getting four runs behind square.

After 24 overs,England 66/2 ( Keaton Jennings 28 , Joe Root (C) 13)

Bumrah’s bouncers sails over the leaping Pant and into the boundary. Tight lines from Bumrah as Root takes a single to mid on making it five runs off it.

After 23 overs,England 61/2 ( Keaton Jennings 28 , Joe Root (C) 12)
 

Some surprisingly shots from Jennings that earned him couple of boundaries, but also cost him his wicket. After back-to-back boundaries, Jennings went for another sweep, but found the top edge that time. Went high but well beyond the short fine leg fielder. Ten runs off Ashwin’s over.

FOUR! Ahh! Now the conventional sweep. Hit firmly and there was no need for the batsman to run there. Four, the moment it went off the blade. Went down on his knee and swept from middle and off stump

FOUR! Jennings, who has been calm and a solid at one end, unfurls a reverse sweep to take everyone by surprise. Went crontrolled shot, played from just outside the line of off stump.

After 22 overs,England 51/2 ( Keaton Jennings 18 , Joe Root (C) 12)

Root ends an eventful over with a superb square drive for a boundary. Bumrah’s slinging angle will always be a good option against Joe Root, early in his innings.

FOUR! Cracking shot from Joe Root. Leans forward and drives it firmly through cover point for a delightful boundary.

That’s on Bumrah… poor choice to ask the captain for DRS. Review lost for India. Ball sailing over stumps. On replay, even Virat was very excited. Someone had to tell him though, but who?

NOT OUT! Bumrah with a sharp inslanter has Root in a bit of bother. Played well outside the line of the ball and the dismissal of first innings flashes. This time the height was in question and despite a review from Kohli, the decision remains not out.

Jennings has looked ugly at times but he is really digging deep here. Runs haven’t come quickly for him and that is understandable. He is trying to stay at the wicket for the moment, or atleast this session and perhaps build thereafter. India have kept a tight leash on things as well, so you cannot blame the batsmen either.

After 21 overs,England 45/2 ( Keaton Jennings 18 , Joe Root (C) 6)

Root guides it through point for a couple off the first ball and then presses forward to push it for a single to slightly deep cover point. Ashwin changes the angle for the left-hander. With a short leg, slip and gully in place. Jennings gets forward nicely and defends the first delivery he faces, sweeps the next for no run and  blocks the final two deliveries.

After 20 overs,England 42/2 ( Keaton Jennings 18 , Joe Root (C) 3)

Bumrah holding it back of a length and slanting it across Jennings, setting Jennings up for the one that he brings back in. Bumrah did attempt it, but sprayed it on his hips that was flicked for four.

FOUR! Jennings glances it off his hips to fine leg boundary as Bumrah misses his lines there.

After 19 overs,England 38/2 ( Keaton Jennings 14 , Joe Root (C) 3)

During the drinks break, few Indian players along with Kohli and Ishant had a good look at the rough created outside right-hander’s off stump by Ishant Sharma. Ashwin gets to spin one sharply from around that area. Slow-mo camera enables us to see a good puff of dust from where the ball pitched. It had Root in some trouble. Out of nowhere Root decides to go for a big slog sweep, maybe that’s his way to counter the uncertainty caused by the turn on the previous ball. He inside edges onto his pad for no run.

Ravichandran Ashwin comes back into the attack

After 18 overs,England 36/2 ( Keaton Jennings 14 , Joe Root (C) 1)

Ishant Sharma continues. Jennings pulls it off his ribs to fine leg for a single. Root  prods forward and taps it to cover for his first run. Ishant has been warned for the second time as he runs on the pitch in his follow through. Marginal, one would say, but Oxenford has alerted the bowler and the Indian captain. Ishant moves to over the wicket to finish his over. Drinks.

Most catches by fielders for India in a Test series:

13 – Rahul Dravid v Australia in 2004

12 – Ekanth Solkar v England in 1972

11 – KL RAHUL v England In 2018*

Joe Root in this Test series:

1st innings : 80 runs

Next five innings : 66 runs

After 17 overs,England 34/2 ( Keaton Jennings 13 , Joe Root (C) 0)

Jennings rotates the strike with a single to mid off. Joe Root, who takes his time marking his guard has his opposite number Virat Kohli for company right beside him. Lot of chatter there from the Indian captain. With India’s tail up, Virat is not going to leave any stone unturned in mentally rattling Root.

Joe Root in this Test series:

1st innings : 80 runs

Next five innings : 66 runs

After 16 overs,England 33/2 ( Keaton Jennings 12 , Joe Root (C) 0)
 

Ishant getting the ball to straighten caused a lot of trouble to Cook and Jennings first up, he persisted round the stumps and had Moeen edging, but it was KL’S catch that rightly grabbed the headlines. England captain Joe Root comes in at four. Ishant returns to over the wicket. A wicket maiden.

Another superb catch for Rahul… fingers under the ball at second slip and that’s out. 33/2 for England, which is a lead of six runs. The experiment hasn’t worked but now all the more reason for Root to play a crucial knock here. 

Rahul with 11 catches in this series now.

OUT! Moeen Ali gone. England’s ploy doesn’t bear its fruit. Ishant with the wicket but courtesy a terrific catch by KL Rahul at second slip. Boy! He has been incredible in slips. Dives to his left and gets his fingers underneath the ball to grasp a smart low catch, which was almost dying on to him. Bruce Oxenford deems it out i.e. the soft signal and there is clearly no evidence as to why the TV umpire reverse the decision. Ishant getting the ball to curve away, leaving the left-hander was always a threat and Moeen Ali gets his bat out rather than leaving it. India on top!
 

Moeen Ali c Rahul b Ishant 9(15)

After 15 overs,England 33/1 ( Keaton Jennings 12 , Moeen Ali 9)

Bumrah in midst of fine spell here. Maintaining probing lines and asking questions, especially to the new man. With a single off the final ball, Moeen Ali will retain strike.

FOUR! Moeen Ali brings down his bat more in defence rather than a stroke he wanted to play. Soft hands and the bat was angled a touch, taking the ball past the cordon and into the third man boundary.

After 14 overs,England 28/1 ( Keaton Jennings 12 , Moeen Ali 4)
 

Ishant is officially warned for running in the restricted area on the pitch. Jennings plays out a maiden from Ishant.

Moeen Ali at number three is not really an inspiration from the 2001 Test against Australia where VVS Laxman was sent up. Yes, Moeen did bat well lower down the order in the first innings, but it’s more like England trying to solve a problem. They want Joe Root to bat at number four, and there is no one else who bats at three but Moeen, who did score a double hundred batting at this spot last week.

After 13 overs,England 28/1 ( Keaton Jennings 12 , Moeen Ali 4)

Excellent over that from Jasprit Bumrah. After having Cook edging, he welcomed Moeen Ali with a corker, that nipped back in and got it through Moeen’s defences. Went just over the stumps.  Moeen Ali’s unconvincing boundary takes England into lead.

No Indian fielder has taken more catches than KL Rahul (10) in a Test series in England now. Dravid also took 10 catches in a Test series played in 2002.

It hasn’t moved around much this morning, but Bumrah works an angle across Cook and he has edged it. Rahul with a juggling catch, tenth catch for him in this series, most by an Indian fielder since Rahul (Dravid) in 2002. Lot of chatter about Cook in this series and especially in the build up to this match. Cook now averages 15.57 in four Tests this series. You can imagine the noise after this cheap dismissal, and he will be fighting for his career at the Oval, presumably.

FOUR! Not the most convincing way to get off the mark. Bumrah had Moeen in two minds there. He had the itch for the feel but halfway through the shot retracted, only yo get some bat while he was withdrawing from the shot. The ball bounces ahead of the first slip and KL Rahul trying to dive and collect it, deflects it past Pujara at first slip as the ball runs down to the boundary.

Moeen Ali walks in at three.

OUT! Bumrah bowls it full delivery that was slanted across the left hander and it kept going on with the arm. Cook fanceies the idea of driving it and ends up paying the price. KL Rahul at second slip clings on to the catch on third attempt. India have the first breakthrough and one more low score for England’s senior opener. 

A Cook c KL Rahul b J Bumrah 12(39)

After 12 overs, England 24/0 (Cook 12, Jennings 12)

Ishant with his round the wicket angle and getting the Duke’s move away after slanting it in will always create some doubts and problems for the two left-handers. He opened up Cook, who was lining to whip it through mid wicket, but the late movement saw him only get a leading edge, luckily for him it stayed along the ground. Couple of crisp shots from Cook earns him three runs.

After 11 overs, England 21/0 (Cook 9, Jennings 12)

Cook clips it behind square for a single off the first ball. Bumrah changes his angle back to over the stumps after Jennings sliced a delivery from round the wicket to the boundary. Barring one delivery that had some spunk and whizzed past Jennings’ outside edge, the batsman had no problem playing it out.

Ishant Sharma has dismissed Cook 11 times while Ashwin has dismissed him nine times in Tests. He is under pressure, so it’s important for India to get him early as he can be dangerous later on.

FOUR! A thick outside edge off the backfoot from Jennings to get it wide of the cordon for a boundary to third man. Was more of a dab rather than a genuine edge.

Here’s Jasprit Bumrah, replacing R Ashwin

After 10 overs, England 16/0 (Cook 8, Jennings 8)

Ishant Sharma continues from round the wicket. Maintaining tight lines outside off and he is even getting the ball to straighten after pitching. Jennings is able to leave and defend with calm. Turns the strike with a single to midwicket, Cook, too jumps on the backfoot and plays off his thighs to fine leg for a single off the last ball.

A special hundred from Cheteshwar Pujara, and an old fallible approach against Moeen Ali brought this Test alive on day two. 

England need a similar performance to that of Pujara, and one of their top order batsmen needs to score a career-marker hundred if they are to score a challenging total in the third innings and present a target. 

Alastair Cook? Joe Root? Jonny Bairstow with an injured finger?

After 9 overs, England 14/0 (Cook 7, Jennings 7)

Decent over from Ashwin. But didn’t trouble the batsmen much there. There were variations – A quicker one and a carrom ball but they were dealt with cautiously. One single off the over.

After 8 overs, England 13/0 (Cook 7, Jennings 6)

A good over from Ishant. He strayed in line off the second ball, it was a slight error but Cook made sure he punished him with a four. Ishant not getting much movement.

FOUR! Nicely placed! On middle and leg from Ishant, Cook flicks it through mid-wicket and it races away.

After 7 overs, England 9/0 (Cook 3, Jennings 6)

Ashwin did get some turn in that over. He is looking a touch threatening for the left-handers. Jennings drove one through the overs for a couple to get off the mark for the day. Ashwin then squared him up with one that turned away from a length area and beat his outside edge. A stifled appeal for an LBW is turned down. Looked like missing off. 7 runs off the over.

Ashwin continues…..

After 6 overs, England 7/0 (Cook 3, Jennings 4)

A tight over from Ishant. He got his lines right and kept it round and about in the corridor of uncertainty from round the wicket. The umpire still has some concerns with Ishant’s landing and was checking it after the fourth delivery. A maiden. Ishant didn’t get much movement though.

Ishant Sharma will bowl from the other end.

After 5 overs, England 7/0 (Cook 3, Jennings 4)

Spin straightaway for Ashwin in that over. He tosses the second one up outside off, Cook goes for a forward defense but it turns away viciously and beats his outside edge comfortably. Cook then tucks one to the leg side to get off the mark for the day. The last one too turns away sharply but Ashwin has drifted it far too wide. Jennings ponders a forward defense but then lets it through to the keeper. One run off the over.

We are about to get underway on day 3: It’s a bright sunny day. Cook and Jennings stride out to the middle. The Indian players are already on the field. Cook is on strike and Ashwin will start off proceedings.

“After Trent Bridge, he had stated that he always played the ball on merit and didn’t like to think too much. At Southampton, he deviated from that theory and came crashing down to earth. He will learn and his dormant innings will only assist him in becoming better batsmen in the future.”

Gaurav Joshi on Rishabh Pant’s 29-ball ordeal, on Friday

Pitch report: Pitch looks dry, and the rough for the right-handers has become more pronounced. Still a decent batting pitch, but has something for both pacers and spinners.

Our man Gaurav Joshi previews day three with senior cricket journalist Sunandan Lele live from Rose Bowl.

“Pujara who had made a 50 in a winning cause on a very difficult pitch at Johannesburg earlier in the year once again showed that he had the tenacity and capacity to pull the team out of trouble.”

Hinting at Cook? Jennings?

Just arrived at the Ageas Bowl for day three, a pivotal one for the match, the series and quite possibly some careers, too. Should be fascinating #ENGvIND

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) September 1, 2018

We get back to Test cricket now. Day two proved to be another intriguing day. It’s been a Test of fightbacks. At first, England bounced back from 86/6 to post 246 and then Cheteshwar Pujara bailed India out with a brilliant unbeaten 132 to give India a 27-run lead. The Test is nicely poised at the moment and we can expect another cracker of a day!

Click here to read the comprehensive Asia Cup 2018 selection report.

Asia Cup squad announced:

Well, we start off with some important news: The Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2018 to be held in the UAE has been announced. And the BIG news is that regular captain Virat Kohli has been rested. Rohit Sharma will lead the side in his absence.

Hello and welcome to the coverage of day three of the fourth Test between England and India in Southampton. Play starts at 3.30 PM IST. Follow this space of live scores and updates.