StanSP

Way too many dropped catches as well...

We'll have to agree to disagree mate. As for turning people away from test cricket, that's on them. No one can have it all their own way and love the gritty side of the moments in the first few tests and then walk away from enjoying the game because of how today went. That's just naive and immature I'd say.

It won't be with Bumrah unlikely to play and Siraj apparently carrying an injury, Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh likewise. Huge pressure and expectation on what is likely to predominantly be a backup pace attack plus Jadeja/Sundar and perhaps Kuldeep. It'd be great if Gill won a toss too any how

Really? It's not like it was totally out of the question when you're at 0-2! Not to mention that we've had collapses throughout the series, and also the manner of the gutting defeat in the last test. We lost something like 7 wickets for 40ish runs at one stage in the series. If that happened today, England win at a canter knocking off a small target. I'm really not buying that two players getting their tons is a farce. Some comments on here make it seem like they were batting against part time bowlers all innings! They were facing up against a seamer who was taking captaincy to a new level, Archer who is frightening at the worst of times with his speed, and Woakes who can turn the new ball round the corner if he wanted to. They didn't face Root and Brook all innings and I think it's fairly disingenuous to put that rhetoric forward. It's two players getting a century in test cricket in England. It's a big feat (which is actually a compliment to the English game!) Why would any captain/coach deny them that opportunity? I think it becomes a farce because England players and fans alike just got annoyed the game wasn't called a draw earlier on, even though there's absolutely nothing in the rules to say the game has to be finished early. If they were in their 50s and 60s just plodding along with half hour to go I'd be well in your corner and in your line of thinking. But they weren't, so I'm not

Congrats to the ladies! Impressive win more for the character they've shown when going behind each time in the tournament, and having strong squad depth to call upon!

In hindsight, yes. In the moment, if the win is totally out of the question and you've saved a game like we have in the past day and a half, it's pretty damn weird not to feel anything in the realms of happy or joy! Just my opinion, mind.

Fair enough. I think there'd be a certain amount of fans, in any test series, that would celebrate a draw that means you wouldn't lose a test series and keep you in it for the 5th test.. For what it's worth, I think our bowling attack becomes even more depleted next test and think you'll win at the oval at a canter, weather permitting.

Any?! Seriously?

Think it's partly the manner the draw was achieved, and it clearly shows given how rattled some of the eng players got. And from the position we were in at the start of the innings. I mean, people were moaning that we declined to shake hands with players in their 90s, getting a century against a part-time bowler as if India choose the bowlers they face (!) and that England draw very rarely.

Why do some of the England fans on here act like they wouldn't have acted or celebrated the same in India if they rescued a result to stay in the series? Especially if two of their batsmen were going to get tons? Ridiculous hypocrisy and double standards...

Well done on your sample of 5. Been a good series overall but think there's some emotional opinions on the result or performance right now. Genuinely been some decent discussions throughout the last few weeks but guess that was only lasting for a short time. Usually good debate or chat but some can't help themselves.

Some sense, at last.

Yeah I misread it, soz. Celebrating not losing. Maybe they should all go home miserable like some on here. Celebration police out in force...

Didn't expect to see so many toys out the pram because India chose to bat with batters in their 80s or because a draw was on the cards. England would do the exact same thing ffs. Most teams would.

Ah yes because Brook has bowled all the time. Fvcking hell there's some sour grapes in here.

Exactly how India have felt last 3 tests haha

Why is it shite and pathetic They're nearing their 100s. Why lose their wicket in a silly fashion and miss that opportunity? There's no set way to get to the 100!

Would never in a million years had envisaged this being the score with one hour to go. Thought it would have been done and dusted much earlier.

Time and a place for that not when we need to save the series

I am nervous because a couple of wickets and you're into our tail. Better session for both? How?! It means you're more likely to win

Only because England aren't winning for you This is proper test cricket. Grit, attrition, tactics, patience. Doesn't all have to be blood and thunder all the time.

Massive last session coming up I'd say. Hold out even more until the final half hour and then I'll begin to think we can draw

Easily is doing a lot of heavy lifting there!! Lot of doubt towards England pulling off the win but we've seen many a time this series that all it takes is an over or two to get the momentum to shift away from a team any given moment. You had it with the two early wickets. We got it back with the big Gill & Rahul stand. You got it back with them two getting out before lunch. Seem to have wrestled it back a bit since then but once one of these goes it won't take much more to bowl us out I imagine...

Saw on cricinfo site something similar. Entirely wishful thinking but I wonder, just ever so slightly wonder, if we could get to a point where we leave England with about 100 runs to win and to get that target within 10-15 overs. England could probably quite easily get to it but it'd make it one hell of an ending...