As the fifth day of the Test match begins, India is just 137 runs away from England’s total, setting the stage for a thrilling finish at Old Trafford.
Old Trafford’s Day 5 Challenge
England’s Joe Root is hopeful that the pitch at Old Trafford will deteriorate rapidly on Day 5. This is a common trend for the ground, with the wicket often becoming more challenging for batters as the match progresses.
“Hopefully we see wicket starts to deteriorate a little more. It started to happen yesterday,” Root told Sky Cricket. He noted that the quick scoring by England’s openers on Day 3 had put them in a strong position, despite the generally slow outfield and wicket.
India’s Unyielding Spirit
Despite England’s advantage, Root acknowledged the fierce determination of the Indian team throughout the series. He highlighted their “great determination” and “fight,” even mentioning Rishabh Pant batting with a broken foot earlier in the series.
“They are not going to go away,” Root declared. “We’re gonna have to play some really good stuff. But clearly in a very good position.”
Factors That Could Swing the Game
Potential rain showers could also play a role, possibly aiding India and keeping the series alive for the next match at The Oval. Ben Stokes’ fitness is another point of interest; he didn’t bowl on Day 4 and left the field with a cramp during his batting.
The Old Trafford pitch itself has shown varied characteristics. While it can produce low bounces, as seen with Dawson’s wicket, it also allowed batsmen like Brydon Carse and Stokes to build a crucial 95-run partnership. England’s record total at Old Trafford also suggests the pitch can be quite conducive for batting.
Nasser Hussain on the ‘Pant Factor’
Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes the specter of a potentially hobbling Rishabh Pant looms large for England. He emphasized Pant’s fighting spirit, suggesting that if India gets close to England’s total, Pant would likely come out to bat, even if injured.
“He is an absolute streetfighter and will try to survive,” Hussain told Sky. He added that England might need eight wickets, not just seven, given Pant’s potential appearance. “England have got a lot of work to do,” he concluded, stressing that India would not “roll over” easily.
- Old Trafford’s pitch is expected to deteriorate faster on Day 5, potentially favoring bowlers.
- Joe Root praised India’s fighting spirit, acknowledging they won’t give up easily.
- Rain and Ben Stokes’ fitness could be significant factors in the match’s outcome.
- Nasser Hussain highlighted Rishabh Pant as a potential “streetfighter” threat for England.
The stage is set for a gripping final day, with both teams eager to secure a decisive victory in this closely contested series.
