The World Test Championship continues its series advert for the unpredictable UK weather as rain has beat both sides hands down in the first Test. But in the streaks of game time that we had on display, India rose to the occasion with a fine all-round performance before Joe Root once again led his side from the front with a classical ton. All this today, I was wondering, how the game would have stood coming into the fifth day. Root's ton propelled a fine comeback and took it a notch higher for the host who eventually finished with a 209-run lead in its second innings. It's a shame that the game has ended without a ball being bowled on day five but sets up the gruelling, long tour perfectly for both teams nevertheless.
8:21PM IST:
The dagger has landed.
PLAY ABANDONED and we have a
DRAW on frustrating terms.... for all the hopes of a humdinger finish, the English skies have just turned out to be a massive disappointment once again.
Series standings: IND - 0, ENG - 0, R - 1
(won); On a serious note
India and England share four points each to kick-start WTC 2.0 on a low.
8:00PM IST: And just like that, we've waded our way through to
Tea at Trent Bridge. R
ain has subsided for now and well, that's about it for now, lads. Not a minute has passed, and the
rain's back.
7:55PM IST: Well, VK's enjoying the rain break nevertheless
7:30PM IST: The forecast isn't any better for the evening as heavy rains await..
6:56PM IST: We're back to a pool, folks. The drizzles have taken over again. Gosh, how quickly do the scenarios change in the UK. The side covers are being put back on and the inspection has been delayed.
Yes, the UK weather could get you to do that, Shaz.
6:44PM IST: UPDATE FROM BCCI: It has stopped raining and there will be an inspection at 2.30 PM local time (7 PM IST)
6:37PM IST: The groundsmen are up and running and with the superb draining facilities that are available at the ground, play could restart soon if the skies oblige.
6:33PM IST: Pant, Jadeja and possibly a Boom Boom to come up the batting order?
6:26PM IST: Some good news as the super soppers are out and about to clear the puddles in the outfield and we could hope for better signs from here. The rains have receded.
6:12PM IST: Umpires and groundsmen have a brief chat on the sidelines even as steady rain continues to tumble down.
5:52PM IST: Strong showers take over again after Lunch, arrgh.....
5:21PM IST: Soggier by the minute in Nottingham. India was in for a chance to take a huge leap in the series despite a chunk of overs lost on days two and three. And we've lost a decent amount today as well. Play can go on until 7:30pm local time (12am IST), only if the rain chooses to take a detour.
5:13PM IST:
As expected, the downpour has begun as the players take lunch.
5:01PM IST: Forecasts predicts heavy rain for the upcoming hour until things ease up late in the evening.
4:39PM IST: It's a first session washout
and Lunch will be taken at 12:30PM local time (5:00PM IST).
4:33PM IST: Should've guessed the last update was just a cruel joke on all of us. The rains are back....
4:25PM IST:
And just like that the rain's cleared off and it's getting brighter.
4:20PM IST: Grim.
4:06PM IST: Distressing images from the venue as the rain has picked up once again.
3:41PM IST: We continue to wait as the rain lingers with a low intensity.
3:33PM IST: A depressing shower continues to linger on. Visuals show Joe Root and Virat Kohli having separate chats with the umpire. Good news is that the umbrellas are ditched for now.
3:13PM IST: A slight drizzle continues and does enough to perhaps put the scheduled start in doubt. This is how the Trent Bridge organisers describe the situation: "The rain has, as they say at the Met Office, become a little more organised. Persistent precipitation continues to fall."
2:53PM IST: Covers continue at the centre as thick clouds continue to hover over the ground. Nothing yet on a possible delay to the start as it continues to drizzle.
We are up for today with a gloomy forecast to start. Here's how the UK Met Department's current forecast for Nottingham looks like:
2:17PM IST:
All wet and windy at the moment in Nottingham
2:15pm: Here's a look at the key numbers and stats ahead of the day's play
1:40pm: Under two hours to scheduled start and it seems like we're in for a dampener.
1:33pm - After a lowly WTC final, this indeed was a classic comeback
Day 4 Review
A perfect day of Test match cricket with a see-saw battle for the bragging rights culminated in India narrowly placing itself on top once again. England's tremendous comeback led by Joe Root's stupendous 21st Test meant that India was out of contention for a fair share of play on Saturday. Root's adept strokeplay frustrated the Indian bowlers and Kohli's men had to wait until the 80th over of the innings in order to bring in a change of fortune.
Jasprit Bumrah took the new Dukes ball and instantly jolted England with the scalp of the centurion Root and followed it up with a flurry of wickets to bowl the host out for 303 in a finish that came sooner than expected.
READ:
England set a target of 209 - a total that has never been chased at Trent Bridge in history - and despite its beleaguered bowling line-up that has looked pale save Anderson and Robinson - will be kept invested on day five. Root will be alert of the frailties in the Indian middle-order with three of its cornerstone batters - Pujara, Kohli and Rahane - rummaging for form and a pivotal knock to lead their side to a win.
With the in-form KL Rahul falling a couple of overs before stumps, England has managed to send the message across to the Indian batters that the remaining 157 runs could well prove to be a herculean task if they slip-up once again in overseas conditions. A challenge to the fortitude of India's leading men and a test of verve for Root's depleted English side. If good weather permits, we're in for a cracker in Nottingham.
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