ENG vs IND: 1st Test, day four – Root’s ton, Bumrah’s 5-fer sets up a thrilling finale
We have a cracking day five in prospect. Spectacular action on the fourth day set it up brilliantly. Rain stayed away for most of the time on day four as the players got as many overs as possible. England built on the overnight score of 25 for 0 and went past India’s first innings lead. But the Indian bowlers kept chipping in with wickets and got them bowled out for 303. This left India with a target of 209 runs in the fourth innings. By the end of the day’s play, India had reached 52 runs with a loss of one wicket. They will need 157 runs to win the Test on the last day.
Here are the talking points of day four:
3) Joe Root’s exceptional ton
Joe Root came into this match under a lot of pressure. No 50+ scores in his last 11 Tests innings, was his longest drought in England whites. If his first innings’ 64 was pure class, his hundred in the second innings, might well turn out to be the match-turning knock. This was his first hundred in England since 2018. The second-highest on the day was 32, while he left with a score of 109. This should be remembered as one of Root’s finest tons.
2) Bumrah’s five-wicket haul
Jasprit Bumrah had come to Nottingham after being wicket-less in probably India’s most important Test. Though, he had arrived in Trent Bridge with some good memories. In the first innings, he took four wickets to set up the match for India. On day four, he was at his best once again. His five-wicket haul was quite remarkable considering how the other Indian bowlers struggled to get wickets. This was his second five-for in Nottingham. Incidentally, he also got his first one in the second innings of the 2018 Test.
1) Fiery Siraj has a go England batsmen
Every time you look at Mohammad Siraj, he seems more of a Test match bowler. He has got everything it takes. He has pace, a beautiful action, he releases the ball beautifully, he can swing it and he can sledge a bit as well. In England’s second innings, Siraj had to work hard for his wickets. He bowled 25 overs and took two wickets. His aggressive sledging against Sam Curran and others was quite impressive to watch and the cherry on top which this Test needed.
