Root is 76 not out, Bairstow 72 and Ben Stokes’ heroics at Headingley in 2019 could well be surpassed for England’s most successful chase of all time. A big crowd is expected for what could amount to a mere hour of cricket given the way the hosts have already approached that target. Warwickshire followed the trend set by Nottinghamshire this summer and made tickets available for free at 5pm on the fourth afternoon. just an hour later the latter had been detached. Those lucky enough to have secured them should remember the 10.30am start. and they may see a day they will never forget. England have already scored 279, 299 and 296 against New Zealand, but to complete this latest challenge, against an attack as stout and hostile as the one led by Jasprit Bumrah, would be eerie. The tourists, refreshed overnight, know that an early strike could change things dramatically. It follows a roller-coaster final day under the new leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum as England bowl India for 245 and then take off like a freight train. Not even a swing on either side of tea, when from 107 for none they lost three wickets for two runs, could spoil their ambitions. The two Yorkshiremen were superb, sensing the threat of a change ball that offered some reverse swing initially and then turned on once the threat had passed. Once India were the side desperate to get away, Bairstow summed up his current mood with four overs to go when he pulled Mohammed Siraj for a powerful six. The start to the chase was similarly remarkable as Alex Lees and Zak Crawley scored centuries in 19.5 overs – a first for England since Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns (at half-pace) put on 100 during of the fourth Test at the Oval. last summer. There was danger, Lees dancing with Mohammed Shami in the second over and playing a Graeme Smith-esque arrangement that ended up going over midwicket for four, as well as a clearance that missed the stumps by a whisker. Mohammad Siraj looks on as Joe Root (left) and Jonny Bairstow push the chase forward. Photo: Rui Vieira/AP But things soon clicked as he started to heave short balls over the cord, pierce the cover and reverse sweep the hastily developing Ravindra Jadeja for a 40-ball half-century. That early push from Lees and decent strike rotation not only rattled India but allowed Crawley, the subject of much talk, to settle in at the other end before getting into the action. A clear drive from Shardul Thakur in the 18th over took the target under 300, Crawley then played Siraj with boundaries either side of the wicket. When he plays like this, one can see the charm. But as a series of letterboxes and traffic cones in the Hollies stand started a conga, a clash between India’s players and the umpires in the middle produced the final changes in a summer of ball changes. The original had done little – the pitch, too, had been left drowsy by the heavy roller – but Bumrah grabbed his replacement and got him talking, Crawley pushed his hands to 46 and bowled a delivery that darted in. The quieter half of a 20,000-strong crowd divided by faith suddenly comes alive, prodded by the ever-moving Virat Kohli at slip. Ollie Pope made tea, somehow, and England were 107 for one. But on the first ball of the evening session, Bumrah found the edge of a tame poke for his No 3’s first duck in 48 innings. India’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates taking the wicket of Zak Crawley. Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images Reveling in the heady atmosphere, India whistled a third strike and the removal of Lees for 56 when he hit a delivery at short fine leg, Root raced for a single and Shami calmly bowled at the bowler’s end. Having offered Lees some choice words when the players left for tea, Kohli positively erupted in celebration. However, over the next two hours, the pendulum swung once again through the sheer order and poise of Root and Bairstow. India also burned two reviews in successive overs, the most egregious of which came when Jadeja talked Bumrah into an lbw shout against Root when the ball fell outside leg. They have one review left, which could have a major impact on the final twist of this thriller. The Spin: sign up and receive our weekly cricket email. Similarly, England’s performance in the morning, when they swept away the last seven Indian wickets at a cost of 120 runs, may well be cited should they get over the line. Stokes led the way here, thundering for figures of four for 33 – his best return with the ball in nearly five years – and Matt Potts finished with two for 50. The key hit in that knock was Rishabh Pant for 57 when a reverse sweep from Jack Leach dressed Root at slip. This match may have been a downfall for the left-armer after his 10-wicket Test at Headingley but, like England’s batsmen chasing a target these days, this moment should not be underestimated.
