A dramatic final over on Day 3 of the Test match at Lord’s saw England’s Zak Crawley employ tactical delays, sparking a heated exchange with India’s Shubman Gill and drawing mixed reactions from former cricketers.
The Lord’s Last-Over Showdown
With the first innings scores tied at 387 runs – a rare occurrence in Test history – India had a mere six minutes left in the day’s play. Their aim was clear: to bowl two overs and potentially grab an early wicket, putting pressure on England’s openers.
However, England’s Zak Crawley had other plans. He was determined to face just one over, leading to a series of unusual stoppages that visibly irritated the Indian team. The tension escalated with Shubman Gill leading an animated, expletive-laden tirade.
Crawley’s tactics culminated in a final, contentious move. After Jasprit Bumrah’s penultimate delivery appeared to hit his gloves, Crawley promptly called for the physio, further delaying play. This left Gill fuming, adding a dramatic climax to the day.
KL Rahul Weighs In
Indian centurion KL Rahul acknowledged his understanding of such “prickly tactics,” admitting he could relate to the English openers’ approach. He confirmed India’s intent to bowl two overs in the remaining six minutes, calling it a “no-brainer” for any team.
Rahul described the late-day antics as “a bit of theatrics.” He highlighted that the Indian team was highly motivated, knowing the challenge a batter faces coming out for just two overs after a long day in the field. They were hopeful of snatching a crucial wicket.
Cricketing Legends React
The controversial last over quickly became a talking point among former players and experts. Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan remarked on the “good piece of time-wasting” from Crawley.
Vaughan also pointed out that India couldn’t entirely complain, recalling that Shubman Gill himself had caused delays due to a hamstring strain on the previous day. He saw the drama as a positive, setting up an exciting conclusion to the match.
Former England seamer Stuart Broad, known for his strong opinions on slow play, expressed his amusement. He noted the irony that his “favourite over of the series” ended up lasting a full seven minutes, despite his usual protests against slow-paced cricket.
- England’s Zak Crawley intentionally delayed play to limit India to one over at the close of Day 3.
- India’s Shubman Gill reacted angrily to Crawley’s “theatrics,” including calling a physio.
- KL Rahul confirmed India’s desire for two overs and called Crawley’s actions “a bit of theatrics.”
- Former players like Michael Vaughan and Stuart Broad offered mixed, yet largely amused, reactions to the on-field drama.
This fiery end to Day 3 has set the stage for an intense continuation of the Test match, with both teams showing their competitive edge.
