England v India: first males’s cricket Take a look at, day 5 rain stops play – reside | England v India 2025
Key occasions
The covers are going off! The dream of an exhilarating end stays intact. Neglect a restart time, the gamers are already starting to make their means out.

Taha Hashim
Uuuuurgh. You wait an age for these moments: day 5, all 4 outcomes nonetheless on provide, two correct sides going at it. After which it rains. Allow us to pray it goes away rapidly.
Anyroad up, my watch is over, thanks on your firm and feedback; right here’s Taha Hashim to name England dwelling.
“I’m not having ‘Again to the Future’ bruited about as a factor nobody hates,” says Invoice. “I hate it. It’s bizarre – it has incest and cultural appropriation (Chuck Berry wanted a white teenager from the longer term to jot down his finest tune for him?) – and it doesn’t make sense (why do his siblings disappear regularly from the photograph reasonably than disappear fully?? They both exist in that timeline or they don’t). I’ve large issues with it and far to my mates annoyance I share these often. I’m getting upset simply fascinated by it.”
The best way I see it, the appropriation is a gag – after all Chuck doesn’t want rock n’ roll invented for him, that’s the joke. As for the grownup themes – there’s alcoholism and voyeurism in addition to incest – by some means, the entire works, and in any occasion, grownup themes didn’t do Recreation of Thrones any hurt.
It doesn’t look – metal your self earlier than I drop the dreaded time period – “set in” – however we’ve achieved effectively to keep away from rain till now. It doesn’t look the type of bathe to finish play, and with 190 runs required and 10 second-innings wickets intact, England would fancy themselves to chase this in 20 overs if vital, and what a end that’d be; there are, in concept, 55 left within the day.
Rain stops play
forty first over: England 181-0 (Crawley 59, Duckett 105) Goal 371 Two singles, then Duckett takes a colossal yahoo and misses; Siraj takes the chance to share with him some sentiments, drawback being he’s 104 not out, so. Two singles observe, and, absolute sake, it’s now raining so closely the gamers are despatched off. Hopefully it’s only a passing bathe…
Since his recall in 2022, Duckett has probably the most runs made by any opener – as you’d anticipate given how a lot England play – solely Joe solely Root has scored extra in any place – and, of those that’ve performed 10 innings or extra, his common is behind solely Jaiswal and Nissanka. His strike-rate virtually 10 forward of the following finest, Crawley.
Ben Duckett makes his sixth Take a look at century!
fortieth over: England 177-0 (Crawley 57, Duckett 103) Goal 371 The cosmos seems to be conspiring towards India. First, Jadeja lastly finds some flip … and the ball leaps away down the leg aspect, then scuttles to the fence for 4. And if that wasn’t sufficient, Duckett then unveils sweep no 985, a reverse for 4 that raises an excellent hundred! It’s been a unbelievable knock and, added to the 62 he made first dig, makes him the prime candidate for POTM honours.
thirty ninth over: England 168-0 (Crawley 57, Duckett 98) Goal 371 Siraj returns for a go at Bumrah’s finish, operating down the hill. Duckett spanks two to level, then goes for a pull, top-edges, and Jaiswal’s operating in, he will get there … then, diving ahead, permits the ball to go between his palms, his third drop of the match, poor lad. If Siraj was ticking earlier than, he’s completely and profoundly shaking now, oof madone.
“Alice Cooper?” asks Andy Hockley. “I guess you don’t put this within the OBO.”
thirty eighth over: England 165-0 (Crawley 57, Duckett 95) Goal 371 There’s one thing of KL Rahul’s knock yesterday on this of Duckett at this time, smart, commanding batting with out being overly defensive. And take a look! With Jadeja changing Siraj, he greets the loosener with seep no 387, a reverse for 4, does comparable however with higher energy shortly afterwards, and although he’s shocked by a ball that leaps into his grille, he’s in a position to get the following supply away for a single, in as a lot management as you’ll be able to ever be on thispitch.
thirty seventh over: England 156-0 (Crawley 57, Duckett 86) Goal 371 Having made certain to not give it away this morning, Crawley is rising into the afternoon, and when Bumrah overpitches, he clouts via midwicket and to the fence. 4 dots observe, then a two when Crawley turns to deep sq., and that could be finish of spell. England are easing to this, at the very least till the inevitable collapse.
“Almost about your timber as inanimate objects musings,” begins Alex Lee, “I’ve simply completed The Overstory by Richards Powers – extremely suggest – and I feel a number of of the characters wouldn’t be happy with this. Very similar to take a look at cricket, a matter of seeing on completely different timescale.”
I’m glad somebody’s pulled me up on this. I didn’t have time to discover a higher phrase than “inanimate”, nor to speak about the best way timber talk, so thanks, I agree. I really like timber.
Ah, and due to Invoice Hargreaves, who sends within the TMS abroad hyperlink.
thirty sixth over: England 150-0 (Crawley 51, Duckett 86) Goal 371 A single to Duckett, then Crawley clips off the pads to mid-on, they run one, and that’s his fifty, a very well-controlled innings – given the match-state but additionally given the strain he’s below to make a rating. Duckett then drives to additional, the place the ball takes a skip, thereby defeating Krishna’s drive – you’ll be able to think about Siraj’s mirth – because the rain intensifies. It seems fairly dirty on the market, and also you’d think about India fairly fancy getting off – the ball, which they needed to work so laborious to alter, will probably be getting moist and tender, they may relaxation their two fundamental bowlers, and halt England’s momentum. Meantime, although, a pair of singles, then Duckett edges to the place first slip isn’t, Rahul standing at one-and-a-half as Gill opts to unfold his males out … and that’s 4. Siraj is ticking one thing fierce right here….
thirty fifth over: England 138-0 (Crawley 49, Duckett 77) Goal 371 Stride down the bottom from Duckett, and a wonderful drive which sends Bumrah’s first ball via mid on and to the fence. Gosh, and when Crawley is donated a leg-stump half-volley, he doesn’t miss out, clumping 4 extra to deep sq. although, in a means, the follow-up is sort of as spectacular, two deliveries let go. Bumrah is 2 overs into his spell, he’s simply conceded 9 from his over, and this match is slipping away from India.
It’s later within the day than common however is anybody in a position to assist out with the TMS hyperlink?
thirty fourth over: England 129-0 (Crawley 45, Duckett 72) Goal 371 England knock Siraj about, once more taking care towards the frontliners as a result of they know there’s a drop-off after that. Oooh, however there’s one which stays low, and it kisses Pant on the within knee; he units off operating in direction of sq. leg, seeking to shake off the soreness. Properly previous mate, if it’s any comfort, it received’t be as sore as shedding a match during which you scored two centuries. However there’s a technique to go earlier than that occurs, Siraj underlining the purpose with one other unrewarded jaffa, transferring away from the powerless Crawley. That is Correct Take a look at-Match Batting from England, who seem to have discovered a steadiness. Somebody must get on the Bazball 2.0 t-shirts.
thirty third over: England 127-0 (Crawley 44, Duckett 71) Goal 371 Crawley opens the face and eases one away, then Duckett helps himself to 2 twos, the second pursued and hurled again the still-athletic Jadeja. That’s two Bumrah overs gone…
“Fast ballot amongst some mates about issues nobody hates,” says Andrew Pechey, “and we got here up with:
Weekends
Chilly beer on sizzling days (even the non-drinkers had been on board)
Eye of the Tiger
Alice Cooper
Ghostbusters
Bushes.”
Bushes make sense, however can we enable the inanimate? I really feel we’d like a human high quality to it although, however, nobody like a smartarse:
thirty second over: England 119-0 (Crawley 43, Duckett 65) Goal 371 It’s Siraj from the opposite finish – Gill is, understandably, turning to his finest bowlers – and Crawley misses his first ball, an inswinger, seeking to drive … then his second, transferring away. Siraj has bowled very well at this time, however to this point , fortune is favouring England. Twice on this match, India have had their foot on England’s throat, and twice they failed to use the required stomp; it’s going to harm them, badly, in the event that they lose this; the best way issues are going, they may even take a hiding. One off the over, a single to Crawley.
thirty first over: England 119-0 (Crawley 42, Duckett 65) Goal 371 Bumrah has the ball, Duckett to face, and he faucets into the off-side then will get down the opposite finish. This new globule is swinging somewhat, definitely greater than its predecessor, and after three dots it dips in, goes once more off the pitch, and hammers Crawley on the pad. There’s an enchantment because the batters run a leg bye, however Bumrah is aware of it was taking place, and that’s one other over of his within the books. England will really feel that if they will see off this spell, by the point he returns, they’ll have put a good dent on this chase.
There’s been drizzle throughout the break, and maybe that’ll wake the pitch up for India. Lights are on, clouds are low, and that is their likelihood to avoid wasting themselves.
“How about Again to the Future?” provides John Dalby for issues nobody hates. “Likeable leads, nice script and enhancing, iconic automotive, totally rewatchable. The truth is, that’s what I’m going to do throughout the inevitable rain delay.”
The primary movie is sort of excellent; the sequel is the primary I noticed within the cinema that correctly knocked my spots off.
I do, although, keep in mind by mum being extraordinarily sad with Christopher Lloyd’s efficiency on Wogan.
Lunchtime electronic mail: “If this has been coated within the OBO simply ignore me,” begins Shaun, “but when not, I make this 1417 runs proper now (fast calculation, maths not my factor so may very well be on the market) however anyway, any concept of the report variety of runs from two sides’ totals in a Take a look at?”
Essentially the most is 1981, achieved when England met South Africa at Durban in 1939, however that was timeless. Essentially the most in a five-dayer is 1968, achieved when England met Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2022. Right here’s the listing of the highest few.
Go effectively, Syd previous mate.
Are England favourites now? It’s a must to suppose so. In fact, Bumrah has magic balls in him, however the back-up seamers are meh, the pitch isn’t providing masses, the batters are set, and there’s completely masses behind them. Wise behaviour from right here, and the hosts ought to win.
Lunchtime electronic mail: “In my secondary college within the late 80s,” writes Tom Paternoster-Howe, “there was a woman referred to as Candice who hated American Pie. This got here up as a result of it was performed quite a bit on the radio across the thirtieth anniversary of Buddy Holly’s demise, and I keep in mind being shocked that anybody may hate such a stunning tune. Admittedly this was 36 years in the past, and she or he might have modified her thoughts within the interim, however there definitely was once somebody who hated it.”
Can we discover Candice to verify in on her? I hope it’s not nonetheless raining in her coronary heart.
thirtieth over: England 117-0 (Crawley 42, Duckett 64) Goal 371 Now Siraj returns, Duckett flicks a single to sq. leg, and that’s lunch. What a session for England, who want 254 extra to win.
“It’s not fairly one thing that everybody likes,” says Josh Robinson, however when Nick Parish talked about the reduction at listening to one thing everybody knew, I couldn’t assist consider the (probably apocryphal) heckle at a current Dylan efficiency: ‘Oi, mate, have you learnt any Bob Dylan songs?’”
It’s a mad factor that, being at a Bob gig, listening your absolute hardest, having no concept what you’re listening to, then immediately a lightbulb: “Tangled Up In Blue, I really like Tangled Up In Blue!”
In any other case, a degree of order: we’re not even in search of one thing everybody likes, simply one thing nobody hates.
twenty ninth over: England 116-0 (Crawley 42, Duckett 63) Goal 371 Crowd singing his title, Bumrah snaps in once more and Duckett performs his first two balls confidently, then wears the third on the pad. The bowler appeals however you would see it was taking place and there’s no evaluate, then Duckett drives three to mid-off, Siraj chasing, sliding and returning. So Bumrah goes once more, Crawley drives … it’s within the air, low … Bumrah stretches down along with his weaker left hand … and the ball hits his wrist then drops. Agony for India and, to grind it in, swing takes the ultimate supply of the over effectively away from Pant’s dive, including 4 byes to the whole. That is falling aside for the vacationers, who, ought to they lose this one, could have a full week to stew earlier than the second Take a look at.
twenty eighth over: England 109-0 (Crawley 42, Duckett 60) Goal 371 Lastly, the ball refuses to go via the ring, so India take a special one and instantly reckons Butch, you’ll be able to hear the distinction, off pitch and bat. Duckett takes a single to lengthy on then, off the ultimate supply, Crawley will get down on one knee to brush, solely to mistime an effort into himself … and once more, England get away with it. All the things has gone of their favour this morning.
twenty seventh over: England 108-0 (Crawley 42, Duckett 59) Goal 371 Bumrah returns and Duckett slaps his loosener to deep backward level for one, then Siraj noises up the group, in search of one thing, something. However this pair are batting with confidence now, Crawley seeing off 5 dots and, um, er … because the Bazballers enjoying for lunch?
“I used to be musing in your barely disapproving tackle Duckett’s typically ill-advised braggadocio,” emails John Swan. “I agree that his post-play interviews typically make me cram my fist into my mouth (I need to say, you do know the fellows who’re bowling at you tomorrow will hear this? And in addition they’re excellent?) however I ponder if that’s extra an English discomfort with or mistrust of a supreme self-confidence? How would he match into, say, an Aussie or South African dressing room, for instance?”
Oh, I don’t thoughts it in any respect. It’s good to see gamers being themselves and provided an setting during which that’s inspired. I’d have favored the interviewer to ask that he take us via them so we may debate whether or not every sweep was discrete, however in any other case, all good. I actually like him as a cricketer and a character; Ias under, although, I’d identical to him to profit from his begins.
twenty sixth over: England 107-0 (Crawley 42, Duckett 58) Goal 371 A tighter over, Jadeja dashing via – every ball and between balls – for the price of a single to Duckett, once more by way of reverse. However was it a special number of than the earlier one? Or simply the identical factor with a special title, à la Shane Warne?
twenty fifth over: England 106-0 (Crawley 42, Duckett 57) Goal 371 A no ball will get the over transferring for England, then provided width, Crawley – confidence rising – clouts a sq. drive to the fence. Krishna, although, responds effectively, banging one briefly, and beating the tried pull, then Crawley goes once more, yelps because it will get unexpectedly large on him … and the ball drops between the lads at midwicket and deep sq.. They run two, then an edge provides two extra, and it’s all going for the hosts at current. Ten off the over, and Gill should absolutely danger giving Bumrah one other dart earlier than the interval.
“I agree with you about American Pie,” emails Nick Parish. “Don McLean was headlining at a competition we went to final summer time, which shocked me as a result of I didn’t realise he was nonetheless … effectively let’s simply say I didn’t realise he was nonetheless performing. Anyway his set was largely dreadful, however the closing variety of American Pie was completely epic and the group went wild, partly as a result of for many of us it was a reduction to lastly hear a tune we recognised. However it’s a unbelievable tune, and even higher performed reside and in full.”
There’s truly a doc on the tune – what number of which have ever been written may justify that? – which I actually loved, Madonna’s cowl much less so.
twenty fourth over: England 96-0 (Crawley 33, Duckett 56) Goal 371 Ah, it’s Jadeja changing Thakur – I’m undecided we’ll be seeing him at Edgbaston – and in comms DK remembers Duckett bragging in regards to the 57 styles of sweep he has. Nasser doesn’t know what he’s speaking about however I heard that interview and in addition thoughts him saying it. 4 singles from the over, considered one of them a reverse from the grasp, and with 275 runs to get, you’d again England from right here had been this an ODI.
twenty third over: England 92-0 (Crawley 31, Duckett 54) Goal 371 A single to Crawley then a brace to Duckett, earlier than Krishna finds a bit of additional bounce, beating the skin edge. Then, simply as he thinks he’s getting away with a comparatively miserly over, Duckett twizzles him to midwicket for 2 extra. Absolutely Gill should strive Jadeja, or give Bumrah one other wave earlier than lunch.
“I’d put ahead Keanu Reeves,” says Ben Heywood as we proceed our quest to search out one thing nobody hates. “Search the web (which has been round for some time). There’s actually not dangerous phrase stated in regards to the man since his profession started in (gulp) the late 80s. I’m with you on Fleetwood Mac, by the best way.”