England’s reputation as the most fearless chasers in the game will be put to its biggest challenge yet after they were set a record 399 to win an absorbing second Test against India.
Since the ‘Bazball’ era began, Ben Stokes’ side have won eight of their 10 fourth-innings pursuits, including a new English record of 378 against the same opposition at Edgbaston 18 months ago.
Speaking after that match, Stokes said: “There was a bit of me that wanted them to get to 450, just to see what we’d do”.
Now, he is one step closer to finding out after India were bowled out for 255 in 78.3 overs on Sunday, with Shubman Gill’s 104 anchoring India’s second knock.
“We’ve got so much quality in our dressing room and there are guys in there who can maybe get 150 for us and win us the game,” said England veteran James Anderson.
England ended day three on the attack on 1-67, speaking volumes for the way this team have raised expectations, not least in Hyderabad last week where they overturned a 190-run first-innings deficit to win the first Test.
But the challenge of finding another 332 runs in Visakhapatnam is now even steeper, with a tricky turning pitch bringing the home spinners into play and the dynamic Jasprit Bumrah leading the attack.
England lost Ben Duckett for 28 when he was well caught off bat and pad but they refused to back down, Zak Crawley reaching 29 not out and Rehan Ahmed throwing the bat in a late cameo as the so-called ‘nighthawk’.
England’s inexperienced bowling attack, featuring three young spinners with three Test caps between them coming into the match, performed well again, with Tom Hartley once more leading the way with 4-77.
At 4-211, with Gill on 104, England were facing the prospect of being batted out of the game but England took the next six wickets for 44.
India had started the day 171 in front and with all 10 wickets intact, but old stager Anderson, now 41, blew away the India openers.
He struck with his fourth ball of the morning, a beauty that stood up off the seam and hit the top of Rohit Sharma’s off-stump as he looked ruefully over his shoulder.
Yashavi Jaiswal, following up his stunning double century, was next to succumb to Anderson’s unforgiving line and length as he flashed a drive to slip.
Racing 20 metres as the ball sailed over his head, Ben Stokes then produced some magic, tracking Shreyas Iyer’s big hit perfectly and diving at full length to pull off a remarkable catch to get rid of a danger man on 29.
Gill brought up his third Test hundred in 132 balls, but Shoaib Bashir finally got him when he gloved a sweep behind.
A major concern for England is the fitness of key batter Joe Root. He took a blow to the finger in Sunday’s warm-up and another while fielding at slip in the morning session, forcing him off the field for treatment.
“His finger isn’t great. Hopefully he’ll turn up at the ground and be okay to hold a bat,” said Anderson.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Opeo the "quote" is BS. He didnt say it twice or anything similar. What he actually said was it can be 450 or 600 , we will still try to chase it down. At Edgebastion, after winning by chasing 378, that he had wanted it to be 400 to see if they would chase that. AFTER THEY WON.
The Bush
Roar Guru
He gives interviews all the time, all you need to do is listen to him talk since becoming captain, they're not "headlines" mate. Anyway, you don't agree, that's fine, I'm hardly going to sit here and claim that there aren't a bunch of arrogant Australian cricketers (and English ones recently too, Pieterson for one), it's just my opinion that Stokes has shaded them all in recent years.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Oh sorry I didnt realise you are a headline man. Try finding out truths rather than believing headlines.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I said one of… not “the”, and the best you could respond with is the best cricketer of the last fifty years in Warne and then you had to go back to Lillee? Kinda makes my point. In any event, it don’t remember anyone else ever saying they’re saving test cricket - do you? Since become captain the blokes become unbearable.
Laurie
Roar Rookie
Yeah I have to agree. Full marks to England for their fast scoring batting. But the overblown fawning and adulation from Pietersen and Nasser etc. during the Ashes, was ridiculous. And high risk cricket can be feast or famine as well. Just ask Baz .. fastest test century/ or a duck in a world cup final.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Yeah it's hard to know if there'll be a legacy from this. There's no doubt that playing aggressive cricket and giving players freedom to play without fear can lead to good results, especially the aggressive side of it. But to my eye, they're not reinventing batting in the way trailblazers have in the T20 format, they're just playing aggressively. I also don't seem some revolution in fielding or anything of that nature. I think Stokes is a good, proactive captain and I think they're getting the most out of the talent they have. All of these things are commendable. But I don't think this is revolution in the way the game is played, compared with say the change to keepers being expected to bat or how fielding turned from just being okay into a key part of the game etc.
Laurie
Roar Rookie
Yes it will be interesting to see how the bazball legacy ends up, once McCullum’s time is up. You had to give them a punchers chance to get the 400 runs today. But the end result was typical of most 4th innings run chases. One things for sure, we are going to have a fight on our hands next summer against India.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Thanks mate, it's become risky making predictions about this English team, but I still feel that the sport hasn't been revolutionised, what has always held true, still holds true. Don't want to take anything away from England/Baz/Stokes, they're getting the most out of their team and playing exciting cricket. But this team is not the Invincibles.
The Bush
Roar Guru
This comment aged well
Laurie
Roar Rookie
Well that prediction was spot on ! Well done Bush.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Anderson Button
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Record run chase by tourists in India is 5/276, thanks to Viv Richards doing his own Bazball – 109 off 111 in 1987.
Tufanooo
Roar Rookie
No, they're gonna lose. My feelings were just that: weird. I am quite wrong!
Ace
Roar Rookie
I think it is a weird feeling Tufanoo but I'll look with interest at the score now you have said it. The thought of them winning had not entered my mind before hand
The Bush
Roar Guru
Yeah at the moment half of it seems to be mind games with the opposition, and that’s working
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah right. I guess you havnt followed Aus cricket for the past 40 years then. Seen many a less humble cricketer amongst that lot. Shane Warne was the biggest ego in world cricket and Thommo, Lillie etc were no better. You want humble see Allan Border.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Presumably on the assumption that he retains the desire to chase 450. Either way, the article only quotes him from 2022, there’s no quote of him saying it in this game.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Root's innings was mystifying. I understand why less talented guys might just throw caution to the wind, but when you're one of the finest batsmen in the history of the game, surely you can just apply yourself normally and leave that rubbish to the plebs.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
I've only been able to see the updates on cricinfo but it seems like the poms have been slogging away as the wickets tumble. No chance of consolidate and build. Crazy cricket
The Bush
Roar Guru
We'll it'll be the greatest comeback ever if Stokes can do it from here, cause at six down for under 200, they are gone. Great crowd in India for a Monday. Maybe we can start being positive about Test cricket again soon?