Summary

  1. 6 runs

    Eng 668-9published at 156.4 overs

    Are England eyeing a half-century for Brydon Carse? Surely they'll want to have a bit of a dabble at India's openers before lunch.

    Carse goes down on one knee and slogs Washington Sundar down the ground for six.

    He's on to 46 now.

  2. Eng 661-9published at 156.2 overs

    Lead by 303 runs

    Media caption,

    Stokes follows 'towering' six with reverse sweep four

    A fine innings from the captain.

    Classical cricket shots interspersed with some entertainment, too.

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 26 July

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    England’s other bowlers will have to turn up today, Ben Stokes looks in no shape to be rescuing the day again.

    John, Newcastle

  4. Postpublished at 12:30 British Summer Time 26 July

    Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Ben StokesImage source, Getty Images

    It is great to see Ben Stokes back in the runs, his ability to read the situations and change gears, you wouldn't want anyone else to play in this situation. He is very good at that. It's great for England that he's found his rhythm.

  5. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 155.3 overs

    Stokes c Sudharsan b Jadeja 141 (Eng 658-9)

    Media caption,

    Sudharsan takes catch at long-on to end superb 141 run Stokes inning

    And out next ball attempting to repeat the trick...

    Ben Stokes loses his balance ever so slightly to Ravindra Jadeja and it's more aerial off the toe end of his bat and Sai Sudharsan pouches the catch on the boundary at long-on.

    Will that be the declaration...? Nope, Stokes turns to look over his shoulder on his way back to the dressing rooms and tells Brydon Carse to continue.

  6. 6 runs

    Eng 658-8published at 155.2

    Fetch that!

    Ben Stokes with a big swing of his bat and he dispatches Ravindra Jadeja for six over long-off.

  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:27 British Summer Time 26 July

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Do England specialise in genuine all-rounders more than other Test teams?

    Neil, London

  8. Eng 651-8published at 155 overs

    The crowd are on their feet in the temporary stand singing along to the Great Escape. Plenty of folk in fancy dress, doubtless enjoying a few soft drinks before lunch.

    A couple of singles and a leg-bye off Washington Sundar's latest over.

  9. Postpublished at 12:25 British Summer Time 26 July

    Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    StokesImage source, Getty Images

    Ben Stokes has called for gloves after diving and his gloves would be full of dust but could this be a message from the dressing room to Stokes. You'd have thought that England would want India to bat before lunch but there's only 35 minutes left.

  10. Eng 648-8published at 154 overs

    Lead by 290 overs

    Bryon Carse backs away to leg and wallops Ravindra Jadeja inside out over cover, but cannot quite middle it. Meanwhile, Ben Stokes is having a change of gloves. A message sent out from Baz to declare, perhaps?

  11. How stat?!published at 12:20 British Summer Time 26 July

    Jem Green
    CricViz data analyst

    Media caption,

    Bumrah breaks top of stump with Dawson dismissal

    Early indications are showing this is the most variable bounce of any day of the series so far. PitchViz bounce inconsistency is currently 7.7/10 for today, the highest of any day.

    (1 = highly consistent).

  12. Eng 645-8published at 153.2 overs

    Media caption,

    Stokes reaches century as England continue to punish India

    Ben Stokes has been great to watch today.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 26 July

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    As a 50-year-old England fan, I feel privileged to have lived through this period of arguably the very best English Test players. Joe Root with the bat, Ben Stokes as an all-rounder and Stuart Broad and James Anderson with the ball.

    Steve, Kent

  14. 6 runs

    Eng 643-8published at 152.3 overs

    Brydon Carse with the joy of six now, as he follows up a four off Washington Sundar with a big swipe across the line which just has enough on it to clear the boundary.

  15. Postpublished at 12:17 British Summer Time 26 July

    Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    A group of young boys play a game of cricket outside Old Trafford, ahead of the upcoming Ashes Test match between England and Australia in 1964Image source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    A group of young boys play a game of cricket outside Old Trafford, ahead of the Ashes Test between England and Australia in 1964

    Last time England scored 600 at Old Trafford, it was 1964 against Australia and Australia were 656-8 declared. England replied with 611, and Australia 4-0 in their second innings, with the match drawn.

  16. Postpublished at 12:16 British Summer Time 26 July

    Prakash Wakankar
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Ben Stokes on the charge, England really turning it on here with the lead at 273. Attack, defence, the reverse sweep and the lofted drive, that's what they say, isn't it, when you are getting runs, get as many as you can as there will be days when you can't buy one.

  17. 6 runs

    Eng 633-8published at 152 overs

    Media caption,

    Stokes hits Jadeja for four and six in back-to-back deliveries

    Ben Stokes then dismissively thwacks Ravindra Jadeja for a flat six over the boundary at cover. Plenty of entertainment for the Old Trafford crowd now.

  18. Postpublished at 12:15 British Summer Time 26 July

    Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    England have been ruthless in this innings and that's what has impressed me with a side that is evolving and learning, especially since there is plenty of experience in this squad.

  19. Eng 625-8published at 151.3 overs

    Ben Stokes misses the ball with a filthy slog, then makes a bit of a dog's dinnner of a reverse sweep.

    He then rocks on to his back foot and plays a more orthodox biff through the covers for four.

  20. Eng 621-8published at 151 overs

    Lead by 263 runs

    More histrionics from the ever-entertaining Mohammed Siraj during an over from Washington Sundar. He (needlessly) shies at the striker's end with wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel not in position.

    Overthrows bring England a couple more. Siraj holds his arms out in despair.

    The wheels are coming off for India a little here.