Story (England in India, 2006) 1st Test, Thrilling end to final day!

[timmy94]

Magnificent Bell and Flintoff dominate

The pitch at Mumbai looked fantastic for England, and they showed us just how good their batting can be, especially one exceptional young talent. Ian Bell quickly went to his 50 at the start of the day as his partnership with Trescothick continued. The breakthrough finally came from an unlikely source as Tendulkar broke the 126 run stand with the wicket of Trescothick, a full straight delivery going straight through, and he was gone for 70. Enter Flintoff, who after a few edges off the Indian spinners, was settled by lunch, with England 201-3.

After lunch the two were building a great partnership and the spinners were easy prey. The quick bowlers who did so much damage in the first innings hardly had a sniff of a chance, Flintoff nearly launched Khan over the stadium for 6 runs! Bell then went to only his Third test century, a fabulous innings by the young Englishman. Not long after, Flintoff went to his second half century of the match, in the hope of finally converting it to a ton.

A few more edges went astray of the spinners straight after tea, but India's field was too defensive to compensate. Khan was again being smashed around, as he was hit for 2 sixes in one over late on. Bell went to 150 off 300 balls. Then it was Flintoff's turn as he went to his 6th test century with 3 sixes and 12 fours, a great innings from Freddie. And that was the end for England on Day 4, total domination as they reached 402-3 at the close of play, their lead at 313, Bell on 163*, Flintoff on 117*, and the partnership at 240 runs.

England look pretty much certain that they wont lose this. All that remains is how many runs England think they need. India were scoring at nearly 4 RPO in their first innings, and if England have 80 overs or so to bowl at them, it could be close. The two batsmen need to boost the run rate tomorrow, and the England bowlers need to be fired up! Check back soon!

Day 4 highlights

 

[Roofrom50]

Great batting from Bell and Flintoff. I think 313 is certainly gettable. But do the Indian's have enough fire power in them..? Only time will tell.

 

[timmy94]

England had dominated with that bat for the last day and a half, piling on the runs as the Indian bowlers had no answer on this bouncy wicket. Bell and Flintoff went out all guns blazing on day 5, to notch up as many runs as they could. Many ones and twos, and also a few sixes off the expensive quick bowlers helped them up to 490-3dec. with Bell going to his first double century, and Flintoff, his first 150. The Indian opening batsmen came out at just past 12 o'clock, with the English really fired up.

Gough had the first over of the day, and after Jaffer got a single, it brought Sehwag on strike. In typical fashion, he went after Gough, and he tried to hook a bouncer, and got an edge. Luckily, the ball went past wicket-keeper Jones, and the ball ran away for 4. After this, Jaffer settled down, but Sehwag was still playing aggressively. Harmison got the break through however, his steep bounce got Sehwag in a muddle, and he was first to go for 23, India 34-1. Jaffer was still aggressive, and went Flintoff came on to bowl, he hit him for 3 consecutive fours. India were 74-1 at the lunch break.

Not long into the session, Jaffer brought up his half century in as many balls. But he ended up playing too aggressively, and when Udal tossed one up wide, he only succeeded in looping the ball straight to Gough, and he was gone for 59. Not long after this, Udal had an LBW appeal turned down off Dravid. Tendulkar took a dozen balls to get off the mark, and did with a nice cover drive to the boundary. However, it was Jimmy Anderson who got the most important wicket, Tendulkar trying to drive a full delivery, and nicking it straight to 4th slip. It was magnificent bowling, and India were 110-3. Dravid looked in control, and took India to 157-3 at tea, on 34*, England needing 7 wickets to win.

Gough came out fired up for the final session of the match, and after Dravid got another boundary, he surprised with a short ball, and got a nick behind to the wicket keeper, and Dravid was gone for 38, there was still hope for India at 163-4. Gough then took another wicket in his next over, Kaif gone for a duck, and India were 169-5. Then remarkably, another wicket went, Udal back on and taking the wicket of the dangerous Dhoni for 0, India were 6 down now!. Pathan swept Udal for 4 off his first delivery, but Udal got one back at him, and next ball Udal took his third wicket, India were now in serious trouble, collapsing to 174-7. Kumble, the man who caused England alot of trouble late in their first innings, was then dissmissed by an otherwise expensive Flintoff, he was gone for 0 as well. VVS Laxman was still at the crease, and began playing some nice shots to try and put the England bowlers under pressure, as the close of play got closer. In at last ditch attempt at some wickets, Vaughan brought on Harmison and Gough to bowl out the last overs. The plan worked almost immediately as Steve got more steep bounce, and got Laxman hooking, only to get an edge behind to Gerraint Jones, India 213-9. Singh and Khan then held strike for several overs, putting on 7 runs and looking good to salvage a draw for India.

But then!, with 10 minutes to go till the end of the day, Singh edged one straight to Solanki at third slip, and England had done it! England won by 181 runs. They had taken 10 wickets in just over two sessions, on a wicket only offering irregular bounce. The England team were aggressive and fired up, and it payed off. This is what he hadn't seen since the Ashes. England back to their best with bat and ball!

A truely remarkable first test match, with the game swinging both ways many times. England looked superb, despite losing nearly half of their starting line up, who all now look to be fit enough for the next test match, in a few days time. I do hope, you will join us then, to carry on this already remarkable test match, goodbye!

Day highlights

 

[Spoobir]

Great win for England, Gough is a legend. Great dramatic end to the match.

 

[Dutchmen]

Looks to be like a decent story as the writing is impressive but the point of view the presentation should have looked better as it makes a good reputation. anyways good luck for your futher upgrades

 

[Roofrom50]

That's some good work from the English players. It's a good win. Just a suggestion, try and post a scoreboard for us, as the readers would love to read what happened throughout the afternoon.