Cricket

399 to win. Ah.

England love a good chase

I mean, it's not happening

Considering they only made two fifty in the first innings , can’t see anyone hitting a double century against Bumrah or them batting out two days for the draw !
And … Talksport … pffftttt ….

399 to win. Ah.

Kept it under 400.

First psychological victory right there.

#upper

Bloody hell Crawley, hah

You have to admire the commitment

I'm guessing Stokes & McCullum are telling the England dressing room 'We've got them just where we need them,
and,
the 5th day of a Test Match is for golf'.

England's highest ever 4th innings score in India: 241
England's highest ever successful 4th innings run chase in India: 207 (in 1972)

399 would be the 5th highest successful run chase in test cricket ever (current top 4 were in Antigua, Perth, Leeds and Port of Spain).

Seems pretty nailed on at this point, though, doesn't it?

It's a 4am day tomorrow for sure, that's all I know.

See you then @cmburns?

Shubman gave England 30% chance

If the ball doesn't reverse...

Jimmy's given me the gee up to set the alarm

India: 1.22
Draw: 201
England: 5

So 4/1 for an England win in normal odds.

This is already so compelling.

First half an hour up and I am not at all regretting the early alarm.

If Rehan can make 22 then he plus Duckett is a fifty. That's the way I'm looking at it.

If all of the batters make a fifty, we are basically home.

It's a big ask but it's not impossible.

Having said that, Bumrah looks imperious.

Rehan survives a slip drop and gets to his 22.

And not much further...

Oh well

Oh well

You're awake!

Come on, we just need to believe.

Hmmmmm

I believe we won't score 120 runs with Hartley, Bashir and Anderson.

Nope. But if we get past 300 it's the highest ever 4th innings score in India by a touring side.

So. Um. That's something.

Oh

Nope.

In fairness, we were toast from the moment I posted a reasonably complimentary comment about the performance on day one and failed to follow it up with a suitably doom-laden prediction about our prospects. Sorry all. I'll buck my ideas up for the next test.

Daughter selected to represent her (school) borough at cricket in the London Youth Games. She is beyond chuffed.

Excellent news!