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Key occasions
84th over: England 392-6 (Smith 171, Woakes 4) Smith turns the ball into the leg facet and the lead goes under 200, the follow-on averted. Woakes, batting on his house floor, will get off the mark with a push to the quilt boundary off Siraj.
Rob Turpin asks: “I ponder what the percentages are on an England declaration round half-hour earlier than shut, nonetheless 100 behind?” That might be very Stokes.
83rd over: England 387-6 (Smith 170, Woakes 0) Chris Woakes survives as Deep closes out his breakthrough over.
Max Williams asks an excellent query:
This can be optimistic however would possibly any of the esteemed OBO neighborhood know of an excellent bar to observe the cricket in Dublin? Or perhaps a unhealthy bar… I’m not fussy
WICKET! Brook b Deep 158 (England 387-6)
The tip. The brand new ball nips again to sneak in-between bat and pad, rattling Brook’s stumps. Off he walks for 158. England nonetheless path by 200 and India stay on the right track for a severe lead.
Smith and Brook’s partnership strikes to 300
82nd over: England 386-5 (Smith 169, Brook 158) Smith sees a contact of outswing from Siraj and lets the arms free, the ball flying to the quilt boundary. After that 80-ball ton his strike charge has dropped to round 90. The landmarks carry on coming – the pair carry up a partnership of 300. The best sixth-wicket stand in Take a look at cricket is the 399 Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow placed on towards South Africa in January 2016.
81st over: England 379-5 (Smith 162, Brook 158) Akash Deep has the brand new Dukes … Harry Brook comes down the pitch to swing and miss! Brook is hobbling now, scuffling with cramp it appears. He clips away for one and stumbles away to the opposite finish. Deep will get the ball to duck in in the direction of Smith, producing a half-hearted lbw shout.
Brian Withington asks: “I’m questioning what number of occasions a high 7 has yielded two golden geese and 150s in Assessments? However not fairly sufficient to do the analysis personally …” This might doubtlessly break Statsguru. Anybody in a position to get the reply? I’m a bit occupied.
eightieth over: England 376-5 (Smith 161, Brook 157) Washington wraps up this passage of play – it’s time for a contemporary cherry.
Harry Brook reaches 150!
79th over: England 373-5 (Smith 160, Brook 155) Harry Brook joins Jamie Smith in reaching 150, the fifth time the Yorkshireman has bought there in Assessments. He solely made his debut in September 2022. A drive by way of the covers for 4 follows.
78th over: England 366-5 (Smith 159, Brook 149) Brook knocks the ball to sq. leg for one and the speedy Jadeja is there, firing a throw in the direction of the striker’s finish to rush Smith up.
77th over: England 365-5 (Smith 159, Brook 148) Brook sees Jadeja go quick and pulls away for 4, knocking on the door of 150.
76th over: England 359-5 (Smith 158, Brook 143) Brook employs the reverse-sweep to take ones off Sundar, who’s bowling a leg-side line from across the wicket. There’s a giant, large enchantment on the finish of the over, Brook lacking with the reverse … Gill decides to evaluate.
There’s no bat on it and it’s trying good … ignore me, it’s sliding with the arm and lacking off stump.
And we’re again. We’re 5 overs from the second new ball, the weapon India have been ready for. For now, it’s Washington Sundar up towards Harry Brook …
It’s an excellent time to be a keeper-bat in Take a look at cricket. On this sequence we’ve bought Pant and Smith, two outrageous gamers, whereas Australia had been bailed out yesterday by Alex Carey’s 81-ball 63 within the second Take a look at towards West Indies. Carey’s averaging 60.71 this yr after eight innings whereas putting at 78.
Tea
seventy fifth over: England 355-5 (Smith 157, Brook 140) A beautiful session for England concludes, with Brook and Smith’s partnership now as much as 271.
74th over: England 352-5 (Smith 156, Brook 138) After a long term of boundaryless overs, Brook reverse-sweeps Sundar for 4. He repeats the stroke to gather two, Siraj doing properly on the third rope to claw it away. Brook then swings laborious and wild to search out 4 with the again of his bat, lobbing it over Pant.
73rd over: England 340-5 (Smith 155, Brook 127) It’s an honest squeeze India have going now, and the over ends with a Jadeja ripper, gripping and turning previous Brook’s ahead prod. It’s an excellent take from Pant, too.
72nd over: England 338-5 (Smith 154, Brook 126) Washington goes across the wicket and Brook will get right down to reverse-sweep for one. He maintains the angle towards Smith, stopping the batter from releasing the arms exterior off.
71st over: England 337-5 (Smith 154, Brook 125) Jadeja twirls away with Smith and Brook taking part in responsibly. Once more, it’s a churn of ones.
Martin Gillam writes in from Sydney:
England’s batting on this sequence is setting issues up for a captivating if asymmetrical Ashes on the finish of the yr. Clearly England have a significantly better and extra settled high order, with the Australian bats persevering with to flail within the Windies. However Australia’s big-four bowlers appear a greater unit than England’s. Will all of it cancel out to a low scoring sequence or to large run chases?
seventieth over: England 334-5 (Smith 153, Brook 123) Washington Sundar takes the ball, a potential alternative for Brook and Smith to launch. The pair acquire 4 risk-free singles off the spinner.
69th over: England 330-5 (Smith 151, Brook 121) There’s a contact of hazard as Jadeja will get the ball to tear previous Brook’s swish exterior off. England, I need to remind you, nonetheless path by a whopping 257. India have to keep in mind that, too. The left-armer produces a maiden.
68th over: England 330-5 (Smith 151, Brook 121) India are steadying the stream of runs, Siraj doing his finest to threaten the pads. Smith and Brook don’t look notably bothered in regards to the run charge dropping.
67th over: England 329-5 (Smith 151, Brook 120) Jadeja returns, able to mattress in from one finish till the arrival of the second new ball. He runs by way of his over in a flash, conceding only one.
66th over: England 328-5 (Smith 151, Brook 119) At all times love the best way Siraj thunders in and angles the ball in the direction of the stumps – determined for the dying rattle – forcing the batter to reply. Smith and Brook calmly rotate the strike with singles.
sixty fifth over: England 325-5 (Smith 150, Brook 117) The gang launches right into a rendition of Wonderwall as Deep brings some respite along with his six.
Mike Morris writes in:
I don’t typically suppose from this facet of the fence however this English group have to be a nightmare to captain towards, given the scoring (and velocity of scoring) of which they’re succesful. Let’s assume England are bowled out for 400, it seemingly gained’t even be tea on Day 3. Given a midway regular scoring charge, India could be seeking to thrash 250 and provides themselves simply over a day to knock them over – however what number of runs do you want towards a group that might conceivably bash 450 runs in a day?
In case your first precedence is to make sure you don’t lose, the one approach of doing that’s to bat so lengthy you hand them the draw on a plate – all with the information that that is an England facet that might additionally get rolled for 220. It have to be like attempting to cease an oncoming Mack truck with a couple of site visitors cones.
Jamie Smith reaches 150!
sixty fourth over: England 323-5 (Smith 150, Brook 116) Siraj returns, going at 4 an over however nonetheless essentially the most economical member of India’s assault this innings. He will get Brook to inside-edge the ball on to his pads, however it avoids trickling on to the stumps. A single behind level strikes Smith to 150 off simply 144 balls.
63rd over: England 319-5 (Smith 148, Brook 114) Smith pulls with energy to the boundary once more, Deep the recipient this time.
62nd over: England 313-5 (Smith 143, Brook 113) Beautiful from Smith, driving by way of further cowl earlier than pulling Reddy for 4 extra with minimal footwork. In case you’re questioning, the very best Take a look at rating by an England males’s keeper is Alec Stewart’s 173 towards New Zealand in 1997.
61st over: England 304-5 (Smith 134, Brook 113) Deep will get the ball to remain a contact low exterior off, with Smith’s swish failing to make contact. A fast single completes the over … scrap that, Deep overstepped. A dot is the ultimate motion.
Taha Hashim
Eight-four for 5. And now this. Right here’s hoping the insanity continues; I say that as a impartial wanting a correct, nippy contest. Right here’s Akash Deep, up towards Brook.
Drinks India’s makes an attempt to get the ball modified have lastly been profitable, so whereas that’s occurring the umpires name for drinks. It’s additionally time for me handy over to Taha for the remainder of the day – goodbye.
sixtieth over: England 301-5 (Brook 112, Smith 133) Reddy, who has been hitting a line properly broad of off stump, nearly slips a shock straight supply by way of Smith. It was a low full toss and Smith bought an important inside edge onto the pad as he heaved throughout the road.
A single subsequent ball brings up England’s 300. Inside 60 overs, from 84 for five.
59th over: England 298-5 (Brook 110, Smith 132) Krishna takes a break after a reasonably luckless spell of 5-1-11-0. Deep replaces him and has a hopeful LBW enchantment turned down when Brook walks throughout his stumps. Huge inside edge.
Only one from the over, which makes it 19 from the final seven. Intriguing stuff. England’s batters are beginning to play with larger endurance however you recognize what gained’t final without end.
58th over: England 297-5 (Brook 109, Smith 132) Brook lastly will get the meaty a part of the bat on ball, pummelling a full, broad supply from Reddy by way of mid-off for 4.
The tempo of the sport has dropped since lunch however it stays compelling. India lead by 290, the second new ball is 22 overs away and all outcomes are potential once more.
57th over: England 290-5 (Brook 104, Smith 130) Smith is once more crushed by Krishna, this time on the within as he tries to drive off the again foot. Batters can wrestle to renew their innings the morning after making a century; Smith is having the identical drawback after lunch.
56th over: England 289-5 (Brook 103, Smith 130) Smith inside edges Reddy previous the stumps for a pair, one other shut shave on this barely odd passage of play. India’s tactic is working; the final deliberate boundary (ie not off the sting) got here 4 overs in the past.
“It doesn’t rescind your permission to be excited, however there are two phrases that all the time make me cautious when taking a look at a Take a look at batsman’s early however superb stats,” says Mark Gillespie. “They’re ‘Gary Stability’. 4 tons of, 5 fifties and over 1,000 runs at an avg of simply wanting 68 from simply 17 innings in his first 10 Assessments. His subsequent 13 Assessments then produced 479 runs with solely two fifties at an avg of 19, at which level he was dropped for the second time.”
Yep, good level. He didn’t look nearly as good as Smith, nowhere close to, however that form of drop-off can occur to batters of all shapes, sizes and types: Vinod Kambli, Jimmy Adams, Michael Slater, Devon Conway and many others.
fifty fifth over: England 285-5 (Brook 102, Smith 127) A fairly easy line of defense from Krishna and England’s heads are everywhere. Smith, crushed earlier within the over, inside edges fractionally wanting Pant. That is one thing England should tackle as a result of the extra it occurs, the extra opponents will attempt it. Brook and Smith nearly appear like they’re attempting to get out.
That stated, Krishna deserves a number of credit score for the self-discipline with which he’s bowling. It’s his job, I get that Roy, however it may well’t be straightforward to bowl a spell of 4-1-10-0 after disappearing for 61 in eight overs earlier than lunch.
Smith dropped by Pant on 121
54th over: England 284-5 (Brook 102, Smith 126) Nitish Kumar Reddy, on for Washington Sundar, nearly strikes first ball! Smith edges a giant drive and is put by Pant, diving low to his proper. It was a very robust likelihood, ankle top and at full stretch, however Pant isn’t pleased with himself.
The Sky group level out that Pant’s actions had been barely out of sync with the bowler, which meant he wasn’t as little as he ought to have been when the ball was delivered. Which will properly have been decisive.
The ball ran away for 4 as an alternative, and a single off the subsequent ball introduced up the 200 partnership from 192 balls.
53rd over: England 279-5 (Brook 102, Smith 121) Brook is aware of the place Krishna goes to bowl – seventh stump, on a size – so he decides to pre-empt a ramp shot. He runs a great distance throughout to the off facet, misses the ball fully and falls over. You’ve been studying the MCC Teaching Handbook once more, haven’t you Harry?
Brook is crushed twice extra later within the over. Not simply any outdated over: it’s a maiden from Krishna! There are clear echoes of the Sri Lanka Take a look at at The Oval, when Brook dropped his bundle and was dismissed shortly after. It could possibly be occurring once more.
52nd over: England 279-5 (Brook 102, Smith 121) Smith cracks Washington behind sq. for 4, with the sprawling (I believe) Siraj unable to cease the boundary and nearly shedding his trousers within the course of.
Three twos, the final after a misfield from Jaiswal, makes it a really helpful over for England, who’ve picked up the place they left off earlier than lunch. It appears like Washington has bowled fairly properly but he has figures of 8-0-48-0.
Harry Brook’s ninth Take a look at century!
51st over: England 269-5 (Brook 102, Smith 111) Brook tries to hammer a intentionally broad supply from Krishna and is crushed. He was bored out by Sri Lanka at The Oval final summer time so it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how he offers with this.
Within the first occasion by taking off his helmet as a result of he has simply reached his ninth Take a look at hundred! He was cramped for room however had the ability to drop a again lower wanting gully after which by way of for 4. It’s been a high quality innings, notably as we speak as he has fortunately performed second fiddle to a riotous Jamie Smith. And he nonetheless reached his century from 137 balls.
fiftieth over: England 263-5 (Brook 97, Smith 109) India are taking part in on England’s endurance and ego with defensive strains and fields. For now England are taking no dangers towards Washington, simply milking no matter runs are on extra. Brook takes three singles to maneuver to 97. He hasn’t carried out issues by halves on this sequence: 99, a golden duck and now 97 not out.
“Whereas it will not be England’s finest batting line up, this England high seven have to be up there for essentially the most intimidating ever?” says James Austin. “Think about getting by way of Stokes, Root, Pope, Duckett and many others solely to see… Jamie Smith wandering out with devilment in his eyes and Harry Brook ready on the different finish.
“Every participant is able to totally dominating an assault and taking the sport away; there’s simply no respite. It should play on captain’s and bowlers minds frequently.”
I’m positive it does, however so does the optimism which you can roll them inside 40 overs. Even so, the psychological pressure is unprecedented as a result of England’s scoring charge is to date forward of each different time in Take a look at historical past. I suppose that was finest demonstrated by Pat Cummins’ face when England ran riot at Outdated Trafford in 2023.
forty ninth over: England 258-5 (Brook 94, Smith 108) Krishnan has two males on the hook for Smith plus a slip and gully. He begins by hitting an excellent size on a sixth-stump line and Smith, attempting to drive the tempo, is twice crushed exterior off stump.
“172 for two within the morning session,” says Ian Sargeant. “Again within the days of yore when the computer systems within the pc science room at Tun Wells Boys Grammar had been frequently disconnected from the transportable TVs and the aerials plugged again in so I might watch the cricket as an alternative of concentrating on my O/A-level programming, that was a day’s play. Wow.
“Glad I’m not skippering tomorrow and having to ship the ‘45 overs is a very long time to bat – play your self in’ speech.”
forty eighth over: England 255-5 (Brook 93, Smith 106) Washington adjustments the angle by beginning around the wicket to Smith, who deftly guides three runs previous backward level. I don’t find out about you however I’m nonetheless reeling from how properly he performed this morning.
Smith and Brook add three extra singles to make it a wholesome over for England.
Oh hiya, Prasidh Krishna is approaching on the different finish. Something might occur right here, aside from a maiden over.
Right here come the gamers. Lunch? No thanks, I’ll have seconds of the morning session.
Washington Sundar, who bowled a teasing spell earlier than lunch, will kick issues off.
Jamie Smith by numbers
Small pattern measurement, small pattern measurement, small pattern measurement. However have a look at Jamie Smith’s numbers to date. Permission to get excited, sir?
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12 Assessments
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19 innings
-
827 runs
-
51.68 common
The third-highest in Take a look at historical past for any keeper with 500 runs, behind AB de Villiers and Andy Flower -
77.00 strike-rate
The second-highest in Take a look at historical past for any keeper with 500 runs, behind Adam Gilchrist -
2 centuries
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21 sixes
The document for an England wicketkeeper is Jonny Bairstow with 24
Lunch
Cor, that was enjoyable: there have been 27 overs, two early wickets and 172 runs at 6.37 over. Joe Root and Ben Stokes fell to Mohammad Siraj within the second over of the day, at which level England nonetheless trailed by 503. The deficit is right down to 338 because of a wonderful innings from Harry Brook and an superior one from Jamie Smith.
Who is aware of what occurs from right here? Who cares after two hours of leisure like that. Of us, it’s Bazball, and I need it straight into my veins.
A surprising century from Jamie Smith!
forty seventh over: England 249-5 (Brook 91, Smith 102) Jadeja teases Smith by tossing one up on the final over earlier than lunch. Smith accepts the invitation and clatters a boundary over mid-on to maneuver to 97.
Up goes the subsequent ball once more – and Smith drags it by way of midwicket for 4 to succeed in essentially the most good counter-attacking hundred: 80 balls, 14 fours, three sixes. It’s the joint third-fastest for England in Assessments, behind solely Gilbert Jessop and Jonny Bairstow.
The audacity of it: he got here in at 84 for five and walloped a century earlier than lunch!
forty sixth over: England 239-5 (Brook 90, Smith 93) A thick edge from Brook rolls all alongside the bottom, however it’s one other good that Washington is flighting the ball properly. There’ll be time for yet one more over earlier than lunch.
forty fifth over: England 236-5 (Brook 88, Smith 92) A misfield from Nitish Kumar Reddy at mid-off offers Brook a bonus boundary off Jadeja. That additionally brings up the 150 partnership is simply 23.3 overs. Why on earth didn’t they shut up store at 84 for five?
“So if Woakes is the Brummie Bradman,” begins James Maltby, “can we begin calling Surrey’s Jamie Smith the Guildford Gilchrist?”
Oh I like that. Cling on, wasn’t he born in Epsom? Don’t suppose the Epsom Eviscerator goes to catch on.
forty fourth over: England 231-5 (Brook 83, Smith 92) Gilbert Jessop’s document gained’t be going as we speak. Smith has gone down the gears in response to some canny bowling from Washington; he drives a single to maneuver to 92 from 75 balls.
“Okay,” says Nigel Smith. “Who would play the lead characters in Ben Stokes: The Musical? I can see Zak Crawley performed by Benedict Cumberbatch and Toby Jones taking part in Ben Duckett.”
forty third over: England 228-5 (Brook 81, Smith 91) Brook cuffs Jadeeja excessive over broad mid-on for 4. There have been shouts of ‘catch’ however it was properly broad of the fielder on the boundary. Brook has 81 not out from 112 balls; he’s additionally taking part in fiddle. What sort of phrases are we residing in?
“Why do groups not routinely rotate batsmen to the diploma they do bowlers,” says Alisdair Gould. “I do know there’s the health disparities within the two expertise, however I believe England for instance might play Foakes and Bethell.”
It’s primarily a health/rhythm factor I suppose. I’d think about we’ll change into extra open-minded within the subsequent decade or two and there shall be some rotation, primarily pushed by match-ups and dwell type (fairly than, say, type over a 6- or 12-month interval).
forty second ver: England 223-5 (Brook 76, Smith 91) Smith slaps Washington to the quilt boundary to maneuver to 90 from 71 balls. Don’t point out the J-word.
Smith resides dangerously – in fact he’s, he’s putting at 126 – and comes this near providing a return catch when he tries to drive a properly flighted supply. It appeared to bounce fractionally in entrance of Washington, aolthough his response suggests he feels he might have caught it.
forty first over: England 214-5 (Brook 72, Smith 86) There’s by no means been a battle that Ravindra Jadeja hasn’t relished. After being hit for 4 and 6 within the earlier over, he ties Smith down for a couple of deliveries after which beats him with a slower one. Properly bowled.
There are slightly below 20 minutes remaining in an exhilaration session: 137 runs and two wickets in 21 overs.
fortieth over: England 211-5 (Brook 71, Smith 85) Washington Sundar has discovered his line and is beginning to trigger issues along with his drift specifically. Brook pushes defensively at one such supply and is crushed.