Siraj Strikes To Put India In The Driving Seat
Author: Tom Penn
Updated At:
Day three at The Oval belonged to India and it will now take an almighty Bazball effort with the bat in the fourth innings of the match if England are to avoid defeat.
But after chasing down 371 to go 1-0 up in the first Test of the series, it would be a big surprise if the hosts did not go for the additional 324 runs required.
All of the previous four Tests in the series have gone to the final session on the final day but few expect to see this game still alive by stumps on Sunday.
A Splendid Saturday For India At The Oval
England had the upperhand after the first day's play and day two at The Oval saw wickets fall at a fast rate throughout the day with 16 in total so seeing only nine wickets across Saturday was a surprise for many cricket fanatics.
India resumed on 75/2, a lead of 53, but with the game very much in the balance. However, by stumps on Saturday, it was the tourists who were in pole position after racking up 396 runs.
| Player | Runs | Bowling |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 118 | n/a |
| Akash Deep | 66 | 0/15 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 53 | n/a |
| Washington Sundar | 53 | n/a |
| Mohammed Siraj | 0 | 1/11 |
Once again, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar stood up with the bat in the middle-lower order and were able to repel the weakened England attack. Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone at the top of the order with a century and Akash Deep also had a role to play with 66 after ending day two as the nightwatchman.
And just when it seemed England would make it to the close with both of their openers at the crease, Mohammed Siraj produced a brilliant yorker to dismiss Zak Crawley.
What To Expect On Sunday
The simple equation is India require nine wickets - although Chris Woakes is highly unlikely to bat so make that eight - while England need 324 more runs.
Will England's batters be able to make India's bowlers tired and frustrated just as India's batters did to England's bowlers?
Again, the Chris Woakes factor comes in as England were a bowler down and it was hard work for the remaining pacers.
And we saw a few balls misbehave near the close on Saturday with Akash Deep getting some steep bounce at times.
Most pundits and fans will be expecting India to get the wickets and the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy to be shared with the series finishing 2-2.
Recommended Bets
- India to win - 1.50
- Uneven bounce could bring in the next method of dismissal as bowled - 6.00
- Joe Root England Second Innings Top Batter - 5.50
- Runs at fall of England second wicket - 70-90 - 4.00
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