Summary

  • Anderson dismisses Gill in first over of India's reply

  • Stokes the only batsman to pass 50 as England bowled out for 205

  • Returning Lawrence makes 46 batting at seven

  • Axar Patel takes 4-68; Ashwin 3-47

  1. get involved

    Bizarre stadium announcementspublished at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

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    I was at a very rainy County Ground in Swindon once when the announcer said "can the owner of the green jaguar AB123CD please return to your vehicle, as you've left the roof down and its filling with water". The whole stadium immediately starts looking round to see who stands up!

    Simon in Walsall

  2. Eng 139-5published at 08:39 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Ashwin asks the question against Pope. It looks close, but on balance India are right to not review. Turning down the leg side. This young pair are inching towards tea.

  3. get involved

    Bizarre stadium announcementspublished at 08:36 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

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    Bizarre stadium announcements. At Trent Bridge test a few years ago, a mate arrived late because he had trouble parking. He told us he'd parked in a slightly dodgy car park near Meadow Lane, over the bridge. About lunchtime we saw black smoke rising from over the bridge. We joked, that's your car Nigel. Few mins later over the tannoy, "would the owner of car..." ended up written off, having to tow it back to Oxford!

    Ed from Witney

  4. Eng 136-5published at 08:36 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Pace for the first time in a while. Ishant's flowing locks, with Pope taking a single. A small amount of noise from the crowd, followed by some fiddling with the sightscreens. It's all quite sedate.

  5. Postpublished at 08:34 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on The Cricket Social

    PopeImage source, BCCI

    It is going to take a substantial innings from one person to get a compettiive score. I think England will need 300-plus in this first innings. It will be a lot harder for the England bowlers than it was in the previous Test, especially in the first innings.

  6. Eng 135-5published at 08:31 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Ashwin comes back, round the wicket to Lawrence, who grips the bat very low down the yellow handle. Lawrence crabs around in defence. It would be stretch to say he looks comfortable.

  7. get involved

    Bizarre stadium announcementspublished at 08:28 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

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    I was MC'ing a charity ball held at Worcestershire CCC when I had to interrupt proceedings to announce that people may want to move their cars as the River Severn was yet again flooding the ground.

    Ben, Malvern

  8. Eng 134-5published at 08:28 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Deft from Pope, who leans back to late cut Axar for a couple. More spectators have trickled in through the course of the afternoon. There are just under 15 minutes to go until tea.

  9. Postpublished at 08:25 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on The Cricket Social

    Ollie Pope is very highly thought of. We've seen where he's played some good cameos and I think he's at the stage now where we need to see him play a good, quality Test match innings. Can he shepherd the tail? Can he play a substantial innings? He's no doubt a player that will be around for a long time. England will want a bit of reward for the consistency they have shown him.

  10. Eng 131-5published at 08:25 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Pope has a strip of black tape keeping a white sweat band in place. Lawrence props forward against Sundar, feeling for the ball. Just a single from the over.

  11. get involved

    Bizarre stadium announcementspublished at 08:23 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

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    Phil Edmonds, as was his wont, parked his car in a committee man's space at I think Old Trafford during a Middlesex match. I was 12th man and had to search for keys. Not in valuables bag, with scorer or in any pockets. Ran on to ask to be told by Edmonds they were in combination locked briefcase and I could clear off if I thought he was letting me into his business case. Irate committee man, unmoved Edmonds, poor 12th man in middle. Finally resolved at lunch time.

    Richard Ellis, ex Middx and Glos

  12. Eng 130-5published at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Lovely from Dan Lawrence, who first skips and hits over mid-on, then drives through the covers to take back-to-back fours off Axar. Don't forget the trademark Lawrence grab of the box, either. Present after every ball.

  13. Postpublished at 08:18 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator on The Cricket Social

    The ball isn't exploding like it was in the last Test but there is enough to work with - and you'll feel there'll be plenty more as the match goes on.

  14. Eng 121-5published at 08:16 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Stokes was right to opt against the review. Three red lights. We're almost at the point where we need to see India bat in order for these conditions to be put into context. At the moment, this feels way short from England.

  15. get involved

    Bizarre stadium announcementspublished at 08:14 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

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    Half-time announcement at a Cardiff vs Ipswich match at Ninian Park many years ago. Announcer cheekily asked one of the Ipswich players to return to the car park, as he'd left his tractor engine running.

    Chris, Colchester

  16. Eng 121-5published at 08:12 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    You fear for England here.

    Dan Lawrence, who has been up and down, in and out, almost turns his first ball to short leg.

  17. Postpublished at 08:12 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on The Cricket Social

    Ollie Pope was chasing after Ben Stokes, and Stokes was walking off. It looked like an arm ball.

  18. Postpublished at 08:11 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on The Cricket Social

    Ben Stokes' front foot didn't go anywhere.

  19. Postpublished at 08:11 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on The Cricket Social

    That's lazy batting. It's a tired, let the ball hit the bat sort of shot. Spinning conditions totally expose your condition. You have to get out to that sort of delivery and smother it. If you let it come in, things like that happen. Ben Stokes did not do that.

  20. wicket

    WICKETpublished at 08:09 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2021

    Stokes lbw Sundar 55 (Eng 121-5)

    A huge, huge blow.

    A familiar mistake from an England batsman and a familiar result.

    Ben Stokes, batting so well, plays for turn from Washington Sundar and is done by the one that goes straight.

    Ollie Pope pleads with him to review, but Stokes knows he's toast.