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28 March 2024

India vs England 4th Test Day 3: Ali leads another England rout of India

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Moeen Ali starred in a dramatic England victory for the second time in as many matches as they crushed India by an innings and 54 runs to win the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday with more than two days to spare.

India suffered their second spectacular collapse of the match in losing nine wickets after tea on the third day - including five for 13 in 21 balls - as England went 2-1 up in the five-match series ahead of next week's finale at The Oval.

Ali, whose Test-best six for 67 sealed England's 266-run win in the third Test at Southampton - their first victory in 11 Tests - took four for 13 in 37 balls on the way to innings figures of four for 39 in 13 overs.

What made this slump all the more extraordinary was England fast-medium bowler Stuart Broad, named man-of-the-match for his six for 25 in India's first innings 152 all out - where they had been eight for four early on - was off the field after being hit on the nose by a Varun Aaron bouncer when trying to hook the fast bowler for a third six in as many balls.

"You don't often get nine wickets in a session," said England captain Alastair Cook at the presentation ceremony.

"Moeen was terrific - I've never seen a bloke work so hard and improve so much in international cricket," Cook added.

"Even in the first innings, we weren't up to the mark. We have to improve before the next Test. So far in this series, our batting has not clicked."

At tea, India were 33 for one in their second innings - with all-rounder Chris Woakes having taken his first wicket of the series to dismiss Murali Vijay.

But this was quickly transformed into 66 for six.

The collapse started when left-handed opener Gautam Gambhir gloved a short ball from James Anderson to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

Next ball, the start of a new over, saw 53 for two become 53 for three when Cheteshwar Pujara was given out lbw to Ali as he pushed forward.

Pujara looked unhappy but, with India objections meaning the Decision Review System was not in use this series, he had to go.

KOHLI FAILS AGAIN

But there was no doubt at all when Ajinkya Rahane (one) chipped a tame return catch to Ali.

And then 61 for four became 61 for five when Virat Kohli's miserable tour continued as, on seven, he edged Anderson, on his Lancashire home ground, to Ian Bell at second slip.

That left the talented batsman with a tally of just 108 runs in eight innings this series at an average of 13.50.

Then a crowd drenched in sunshine - a marked contrast to the rain which had cut short Friday's play - had more to cheer when Ravindra Jadeja was caught at slip by Chris Jordan off Ali.

India were now 66 for six with England, who had been 1-0 down in the series after a 95-run defeat in the second Test at Lord's, on the brink of going 2-1 up.

Dhoni had defied England with 71 in the first innings.

But trying to attack Ali he was brilliantly caught for 27 by Gary Ballance, diving to his right at midwicket.

India were now 105 for seven, with all-rounder Ali having taken four for 13 in 27 balls.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 'caught' off a Jordan no-ball on nine, did not make the most of his reprieve when run out for 10 by Ali's throw to Buttler.

Jordan got in on the act by taking the last two wickets in as many balls, with Aaron caught behind and Pankaj Singh yorked for a duck as India were dismissed for 161 in 43 overs.

Ravichandran Ashwin top-scored with 46 not out.

England resumed Saturday on 237 for six.

Pankaj Singh's long wait for a first Test wicket - after a debut record worst wicketless return of none for 179 at Southampton - eventually ended when the 6ft 6in paceman took two for four in 15 balls with the new ball.

He dismissed both Joe Root (77) and Buttler (70) after the pair had put on 134 for the seventh wicket.

But England still compiled a total of 367 that gave them a first-innings lead of 215 - more than enough runs as it proved to withstand Broad's absence.

BROAD LOSS

England's Moeen Ali and James Anderson made up for the loss of Stuart Broad through injury with a devastating bowling display as the hosts skittled India out for 161 to win the fourth Test on Saturday for a 2-1 series lead.

Spin bowler Moeen took four wickets and also contributed with an accurate arm for a run out as India, facing a first innings deficit of 215 runs, collapsed again on the third day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

England, having scored 367-9 in their first innings, won by an innings and 54 runs and after dominating the last two Test matches will be full of confidence ahead of the final match at the Oval starting on Friday.

India totalled 152 in their first innings after recovering from eight for four and almost collapsed again in Saturday's final session when they lost five wickets for 13 runs.

Broad, who took 6-25 in India's first innings to win the man of the match award, retired injured while batting after being struck in the face, with the ball splitting his nose, but his departure was more than covered for by England's other bowlers.

As Broad left for X-rays that showed he had fractured his nose, Moeen stepped into the role of chief destroyer alongside Anderson, who had climbed from his sick bed to wreck the foundations for any Indian recovery with two early wickets.

"This is why you hang in during the tough times - to appreciate the good times," said England captain Alastair Cook, whose future was questioned after the second Test at Lord's where India extended England's winless run to 10 matches.

"There are a lot of good things going on at the moment and we just have to keep going.

"Stuart Broad has got a broken nose and we are going to have to wait and see. It's pretty sore and we hope it doesn't spoil his good looks! Jimmy has had the lurgy and has been really under the weather - so that's a great effort by him."

The England and Wales Cricket Board later tweeted that Broad "will be treated over the course of the week and the medical team anticipates he will be available for the fifth test."

POOR BATTING


India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni conceded that his team's batting had let them down.

"Even in the first innings, we weren't up to the mark," he said. "We have to improve before the next Test.

"So far in this series, our batting has not clicked. We've played with a fifth bowler and, more often than not, he has got the runs. That has camouflaged the performance of the top order."

England, 237-6 overnight, ended their first innings on 367-9, with Broad forced to retire injured after being struck by a bouncer from Varun Aaron that he glanced into his own face.

The ball flew between his protective visor and helmet and struck Broad across the bridge of his nose, an injury that left him groggy and bloodied.

Broad, on zero, had resumed after lunch by pulling Aaron for two sixes in succession before mistiming a similar effort as he aimed for a third big hit.

FIRST WICKET

Earlier, India paceman Pankaj Singh, who made his debut in the third test at Southampton, had claimed his first wicket in Test cricket when he removed Joe Root (77) to end a robust 134-run partnership with Jos Buttler.

Singh soon doubled his wicket tally when he dismissed Buttler for 70 as England hurried to press home their advantage.

Broad's bloody departure brought in Anderson who joined Chris Woakes in adding 29 before he was out lbw to his recent antagonist Ravindra Jadeja.

Anderson was soon back in the middle to lead the England attack with Woakes who trapped Vijay lbw for 18.

With heavy rain forecast for Sunday, England attacked relentlessly and India buckled as Anderson and Moeen took the initiative, the paceman removing Gautam Gambhir, caught by Buttler for 18, and Virat Kohli, caught by Bell at second slip for seven.

Moeen then took beguiling control. Having trapped Cheteshwar Pujara lbw for 17, he caught and bowled Ajinkya Rahane for one as India crumbled.

A diving catch by Gary Ballance at midwicket removed Dhoni for 27 before Chris Jordan helped mop up the tail.

CLOSE

Pankaj is out first ball.

Pankaj Singh b Jordan 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

The writing is on the wall now for India as England are one wicket away from taking a 2-1 series lead.

Varun Aaron c Buttler b Jordan 9 (13b 2x4 0x6)

Ashiwn showing the way here with some lovely cover drives and pull shots.

Ashwin takes up the challenge here lofting Moeen for a six.

Drinks

India still trail by 74 runs with 20 over left for the day to make England bat again

India 133 for 8 after 40 overs.

Bhuvneshwar failed to capitalise on the life he got a few balls earlier and ended with a stupid run-out. Moeen Ali having a hand here too with a slide and a direct throw to Robson.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar run out 10 (15b 2x4 0x6)

Bhuvneshwar is lucky here as he nicks one to Bell off Jordan but it's a no-ball.

Ind 126 for 7 after 36 overs.

Ashwin hits Jordan for two boundaries sending a message to other Indian batsmen that if you stay at the crease runs will come.

Moeen Ali gets his 19th wicket of the series, making him the second-highest, and his victim is the Indian skipper Dhoni who charges out for a huge heave but mistimes it and Ballance takes a good catch.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Ballance b Ali 27 (22b 4x4 0x6)

Woakes gets the rough end of Dhoni's bat and goes for a couple more boundaries. Ind 98 for 6 after 31 overs.

Dhoni goes on the offensive hitting Woakes for two fours.

DRINKS

Ind 70 for 6 after 28 overs.

Moeen Ali's three wickets so far has made him the third highest wicket-taker in the series with 18.

Moeen Ali is on a high here, tempting Jadeja who goes forward and ends up giving Jordan a catch at first slip.

Ravindra Jadeja c Jordan b Ali 4 (5b 1x4 0x6)

Ind 65 for 5 after 25 overs.

India heading for another defeat as Kohli's poor run continues and its Anderson again who gets him to edge one to Bell at second slip.

Virat Kohli c Bell b Anderson 7 (11b 1x4 0x6)

Moeen Ali has turned the match on its head with his second wicket, getting a return catch off Rahane.

Ajinkya Rahane c & b Ali 1 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Virat pulls Anderson's short ball, typical Kohli ODI shot here through mid wicket..

India 55 for 3 after 22 overs.

Trouble for India with two wickets falling in two balls. Here Moeen Ali traps Pujara although the batsman is not happy with the decision.

Cheteshwar Pujara lbw b Ali 17 (38b 2x4 0x6)

Another dismal batting performance from Gautam. Anderson pitches one short and Gambhir tries to evade it at the last minute but gets a niggle.

Gautam Gambhir c Buttler b Anderson 18 (53b 3x4 0x6)

Pujara goes on his toes to spank Anderson through point for four and that brings up India's 50.

Gambhir sweeps this one from Moeen Ali. The left-hander is looking more comfortable against the spinner.

Pujara goes down on one knee to clip a full toss from Jordan through covers for a boundary. Ind 44 for 1 after 18 overs.

TEA

England held the upper hand on the third day of the fourth Test after they had India struggling on 33 for 1 at tea in their second innings.

The hosts still lead by 182 runs after they were earlier bowled out for 367, while India's first innings ended at 152.

Gambhir punches Moeen Ali through point for four.

With Broad out and Anderson taken off the attack, Woakes and Jordan are still able to make life difficult for India.

Vijay is rapped on the pads in front by Woakes who is steaming in, making the most of the injured Broad's absence on the field. 

Murali Vijay lbw b Woakes 18 (36b 3x4 0x6)

Lovely straight off drive from Vijay for another four.

Vijay slashes Jordan past fourth slip for four. Jordan thought he had his man here but the ball goes past Anderson.

Woakes replaces Anderson and Vijay hits a handsome backfoot drive past Root at point for four. Then finds the gap between mid-wicket and mid-on for three runs.

Nice defensive shot by Gambhir which travels past mid-off for two runs.

Chris Jordan replaces Woakes after 7 overs.

Gambhir gets an edge off Woakes but the ball finds the gap between the slips for four.

Cautious start by India who are 4 for no loss after 5 overs.

Woakes has Gambhir hopping in his crease. Luckily for the batsman Robson standing at short leg didn't have a shy at the wicket as Gambhir might have been caught with his foot out.

Chris Woakes shares the opening bowling honours with Anderson in the absence of Broad. 

Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay walk out with the hope of getting a good partnership which India desperately need to save the Test, if not win it..

England innings

Indian paceman Pankaj Singh claimed his long-awaited first wicket in test cricket on Saturday as England extended their first innings lead to 173 runs at lunch on the third day of the fourth test at Old Trafford.

Singh, who made his debut in the third test at Southampton, removed Joe Root (77) and Jos Buttler (70) as England progressed to 325 for eight, thanks to the robust 134-run partnership between the pair.

Chris Woakes (six) and Stuart Broad (zero) were at the crease unbeaten at the interval.

Both Root and Buttler were caught as Singh varied his pace to good effect, India having taken the new ball at 257-6 after England had resumed at 237-6 following Friday's rain-curtailed action.

Root, who looked set for a century after playing with confidence and flair, was dismissed when he gloved a rising delivery off his pads down the leg side to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

It was Singh's maiden test wicket after previously toiling through 69 overs and two balls in vain.

Root had earlier completed his seventh test half-century with a tickled shot off his pads as England seemed to be settling in to build a substantial total without much discomfort.

Buttler survived when he was dropped by Virat Kohli in the gully at 34, off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and went on to hit some powerful boundaries before lofting a drive to Cheteshwar Pujara at mid-off from a disguised slower ball in the final over before the interval.

The five-match series is level at 1-1.

James Anderson lbw b Jadeja 9 (19b 1x4 0x6)                                 

Eng 359 for 8 after 103 overs, extending their lead to 207.

Chris Woakes makes room and glides Aaron over Dhoni for four to bring up England's 350.

Eng 342 for 8 after 100 overs, lead India by 190 runs.

Broad is forced to come off and in goes Anderson.

Stuart Broad retired hurt 12 (6b 0x4 2x6) 

Another short ball and Broad is hit on the bridge of his nose, the ball finding its way between the grill and the peek of the helmet, and he is bleeding with the Indian players surrounding him.

Broad gets after Aaron immediately after lunch spanking his two short balls for sixes over mid wicket.

LUNCH 

Half centuries by Joe Root and Jos Buttler took England to a comfortable position of 325 for 7 for a lead of 173 against India at lunch on Day 3 of the fourth Test at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester on Saturday.

Root was out for 77 and Buttler stroked 70. The duo put on 134 runs for the seventh wicket.

India who were bowled out for 152 in their first innings got both their wickets this morning through Pankaj Singh.

Pankaj strikes again getting rid of the dangerous Jos Buttler as his slower ball forces Buttler to go for an uppish drive and it lands in Pujara's hands.

Jos Buttler c Pujara b Pankaj Singh 70 (130b 10x4 0x6)

Eng 316 for 7 after 95 overs, lead India by 164 runs.

The long wait is over for the tall and strapping Pankaj Singh as he gets an outside edge down leg side from Root and Dhoni does the needful.

Joe Root c Dhoni b Pankaj Singh 77 (161b 7x4 0x6)

Aaron tests Root with some short balls and also has him shaken a bit but the English batsman has the last laugh with a thumping cover drive. Eng 302 for 6.after 92 overs.

Close shave: Bhuvneshwar raps Buttler on the pads but Erasmus is unmoved as he thinks the ball was going over the stumps.

Eng 287 for 6 after 90 overs, lead by 135 runs over India.

Buttler survives a run-out after he played it down leg side and wanted a double but Aaron's throw was right on top of the wicket but Dhoni failed to collect it cleanly. 

Root tries to up the scoring as England may have plans of declaring. Eng 282-6.

DRINKS

Eng prod along at 279 for 6 for a lead of 127 at drinks interval on Day 3. Root looks solid on 65 and giving him good company is Buttler on 43.

Eng are 273 for 6 after 85 overs to take a 121-run lead over India.

DROPPED: Buttler is dropped by Kohli at gully and the unlucky bowler is Bhuvneshwar.

England take a lead of over 100 runs past India.  Eng 257-6 after 81 overs.

Varun Aaron and Jadeja bowl a maiden each. India will be looking to the new ball which is due in two overs to break this partnership.

Root and Buttler nudge and push for singles as England extend their lead over India to 94.

Root continues to torment the Indian bowlers. Pankaj strays down the leg side and Root glides him through fine leg to bring up his half century.

It looks like a good day of cricket ahead as there are no dark clouds. England will resume at 237 for 6 with Joe Root getting ready to take strike against Ravindra Jadeja.

England's hopes of taking the initiative in the fourth Test against India were washed out by the rain as a torrential downpour after lunch left the outfield unplayable during the second day on Friday.

After bowling India out for a lowly 152 in the first innings, England hoped to build a healthy advantage but a lengthy rain delay meant play was abandoned with the hosts 85 runs ahead on 237 for six.

Unbeaten Joe Root (48) and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler (22 not out) will resume day three looking to build on their 67-run partnership.