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England 239 for four at close
Leeds, Aug 25: India were facing a late resistance in their victory march in the third Test as England reached 239 for four in their second innings on the fourth day here today after being forced to follow-on.
Leeds, Aug 25: India were facing a late resistance in their victory march in the third Test as England reached 239 for four in their second innings on the fourth day here today after being forced to follow-on.
England skipper Nasser Hussain and veteran wicketkeeper batsman Alec Stewart were fighting a grim battle for survival in a fruitful fifth wicket partnership with the home team still 116 runs behind India`s first innings score of 628 for eight declared. Hussain was batting on 90 and Stewart on 40 at the close of day`s play, the duo having put on 91 runs for the fifth wicket so far. England had earlier been bowled out for 273 in their first innings with Stewart remaining unbeaten on 78.
It was a good day for the Indian bowlers who maintained a very tight line and length and forced the Englishmen to commit mistakes. Ajit Agarkar and Anil Kumble, who claimed one wicket each, were particularly impressive and had the batsmen in all kinds of trouble.
But it was the unheralded Sanjay Bangar who picked two quick wickets with his gentle seam bowling and raised hopes of an innings victory for India.
When Stewart walked in to bat, England were 148 for four. With a combination of attack and defence, Hussain and Stewart managed to survive till the end and also kept accumulating the runs.
England had a poor start to their second innings with their most dependable batsman in this series Michael Vaughan returning to the pavilion after scoring just 15 runs. Vaughan was trapped leg before wicket with a sharp incoming delivery from Agarkar in the 10th over of the innings when England`s total was 28.
Agarkar surprised with his consistent line and length today. He kept probing the off-side area and repeatedly got past the edge of the bat.
Opener Robert Key and Mark Butcher had a small partnership going for the second wicket before Kumble effected the breakthrough for India. Key also fell leg before wicket for 34 after adding 48 runs with Butcher.
Runs came in a trickle for England as Kumble and Harbhajan Singh made life difficult for the batsmen. With the pitch offering inconsistent bounce, both these spinners created a lot of problems and the Englishmen could hardly read them.
Just when England were looking to build another partnership, Bangar struck twice to send back Butcher and Crawley. Both the batsmen were guilty of going for ambitious shots when there was no need for it.
Butcher, who made 42 with six boundaries, played away from his body trying to go for an off-drive but only managed an edge that flew to Rahul Dravid at slips. Crawley (12) joined him in the dressing room soon after hitting straight into the hands of Virender Sehwag at covers.
But Hussain and Stewart denied the Indians any more success and kept alive the hopes of securing a draw. Both the batsmen played very positively before tea when they took on the Indian spinners in a bid to release the pressure. Hussain was partcularly aggressive as he cut and pulled with vengeance and even stepped out to loft Harbhajan Singh for a six over long-on.
Stewart continued from where he left off in the first innings and played a flawless knock. At tea, England were 166 for four with Hussain batting on 47 and Stewart on 12.
The going once again became difficult for England in the final session of play when Hussain was made to struggle by the spinners. Kumble and Harbhajan Singh managed to do everything but dismiss the English captain who held on to his wicket stubbornly.
Hussain got a reprieve on 86 when a confident leg before wicket appeal against Kumble was turned down by umpire Dave Orchard of South Africa. The batsman looked out but was given the benefit of doubt.
The Indian pacemen were taken for some runs towards the end of the day`s play and even the new ball, which was taken after 82 overs, could not bring India any good fortune.
Earlier, England`s first innings came to an end in the fourth over of the day when Kumble had Matthew Hoggard caught by Sehwag at forward short leg. England, who resumed at their overnight 264 for nine, could add just nine runs this morning with Stewart left stranded at 78. Bureau Report
England skipper Nasser Hussain and veteran wicketkeeper batsman Alec Stewart were fighting a grim battle for survival in a fruitful fifth wicket partnership with the home team still 116 runs behind India`s first innings score of 628 for eight declared. Hussain was batting on 90 and Stewart on 40 at the close of day`s play, the duo having put on 91 runs for the fifth wicket so far. England had earlier been bowled out for 273 in their first innings with Stewart remaining unbeaten on 78.
It was a good day for the Indian bowlers who maintained a very tight line and length and forced the Englishmen to commit mistakes. Ajit Agarkar and Anil Kumble, who claimed one wicket each, were particularly impressive and had the batsmen in all kinds of trouble.
But it was the unheralded Sanjay Bangar who picked two quick wickets with his gentle seam bowling and raised hopes of an innings victory for India.
When Stewart walked in to bat, England were 148 for four. With a combination of attack and defence, Hussain and Stewart managed to survive till the end and also kept accumulating the runs.
England had a poor start to their second innings with their most dependable batsman in this series Michael Vaughan returning to the pavilion after scoring just 15 runs. Vaughan was trapped leg before wicket with a sharp incoming delivery from Agarkar in the 10th over of the innings when England`s total was 28.
Agarkar surprised with his consistent line and length today. He kept probing the off-side area and repeatedly got past the edge of the bat.
Opener Robert Key and Mark Butcher had a small partnership going for the second wicket before Kumble effected the breakthrough for India. Key also fell leg before wicket for 34 after adding 48 runs with Butcher.
Runs came in a trickle for England as Kumble and Harbhajan Singh made life difficult for the batsmen. With the pitch offering inconsistent bounce, both these spinners created a lot of problems and the Englishmen could hardly read them.
Just when England were looking to build another partnership, Bangar struck twice to send back Butcher and Crawley. Both the batsmen were guilty of going for ambitious shots when there was no need for it.
Butcher, who made 42 with six boundaries, played away from his body trying to go for an off-drive but only managed an edge that flew to Rahul Dravid at slips. Crawley (12) joined him in the dressing room soon after hitting straight into the hands of Virender Sehwag at covers.
But Hussain and Stewart denied the Indians any more success and kept alive the hopes of securing a draw. Both the batsmen played very positively before tea when they took on the Indian spinners in a bid to release the pressure. Hussain was partcularly aggressive as he cut and pulled with vengeance and even stepped out to loft Harbhajan Singh for a six over long-on.
Stewart continued from where he left off in the first innings and played a flawless knock. At tea, England were 166 for four with Hussain batting on 47 and Stewart on 12.
The going once again became difficult for England in the final session of play when Hussain was made to struggle by the spinners. Kumble and Harbhajan Singh managed to do everything but dismiss the English captain who held on to his wicket stubbornly.
Hussain got a reprieve on 86 when a confident leg before wicket appeal against Kumble was turned down by umpire Dave Orchard of South Africa. The batsman looked out but was given the benefit of doubt.
The Indian pacemen were taken for some runs towards the end of the day`s play and even the new ball, which was taken after 82 overs, could not bring India any good fortune.
Earlier, England`s first innings came to an end in the fourth over of the day when Kumble had Matthew Hoggard caught by Sehwag at forward short leg. England, who resumed at their overnight 264 for nine, could add just nine runs this morning with Stewart left stranded at 78. Bureau Report