England beat India by 227 runs in the first paytm test match in Chennai, a masterful performance leading to one of their best wins on foreign soil.
Day one: England won the toss and elected to bat, they made India pay, batting long and only losing 3 wickets in the entire day, England were 63-1 when Rory Burns going nicely on 33 decided inexplicably to reverse sweep Ashwin leaving Pant with the easiest of catches, Dan Lawrence was LBW to Bumrah for 0, the decision to bat him at 3 in this game felt a little lamb to the slaughter, with no Crawley in the side it seems nobody wants to bat at 3. Root though sparkled and ended 128 not. Dom Sibley was ultimately out to the last ball of the day, Bumrah trapped him on the crease to become his second victim of the day, and in no way took the shine off a great day for the visitors.
Day 2: Ben Stokes joined Joe Root at the crease, for the start of the days play, the latter continuing where he left off the day before, as he brought up a magnificent double hundred in his 100th test match, a finer way to celebrate I don’t think he could find, eventually out LBW to Nadeem for 218. Stokes attack mindedness was exactly what England needed and a well played 82 rubbed salt into Indian wounds. Contributions from Pope 34, who didn’t look anywhere near his fluent best, Buttler 30 and Bess 28* left England in a commanding position of 555/8 at the end of day two. 180 overs in the field for India and it felt like England couldn’t lose from this position.
Day 3: the day started with the news England would bat on. Seemly to the annoyance of every pundit in the game. England eventually were bowled out for 578. England reduced India to 71-3 when Bess Kohli with a beauty, Rishabh Pant played a counter attacking knock and got this claws into Leech, eventually Pant went for one big shot too many, and was caught in the deep by Leech on 91, That looked like curtains for India finding themselves 6 wickets down and still 321 runs behind England.
Day 4: Washington Sundar batted beautifully after Ashwin was dismissed by Leach, he accelerated through his innings and was unlucky to end up only 85*. India all out for 337, an England lead of 241. As Burns lunged at the first ball of England’s second innings and was caught by Rahane, India’s hopes were rejuvenated. But a quick 40 from Root and once again contributions from Pope 28, Buttler 24 and Bess 25 helped to take the game away from India. England bowled out for 178, setting India 420 unlikely runs to win. India finished day 4 39/1 Leech bowled Sharma with an absolute ripper the only breakthrough.
Day 5: Could England get the final 9 Indian wickets or could India with Kholi still to bat get away with a draw even the biggest Indian fan would say they scarcely deserved, England bowled superbly, and a spirited 72 from Kholi couldn’t half England charge, James Anderson bowled probably the best over of his test career, continuing to defy father time. Leech after bowling poorly in the first inning was sublime in the second finishing with 4-76. India bowled out for 192 in just 58.1 overs. England win by 227 runs.
A fantastic test match, well worth the 4am alarm calls here in the UK, roll on Saturday morning for the start of the second test match.
Cheers, the fat man
Fat Lad Sports 