England v India 4th Test

[claretonthecoast1882]

Century for Root

[claretonthecoast1882]

Only Tendulkar, Kallis and Ponting have scored more test centuries than Root now

[CoolClaret]

Magnificent batter - seems to be getting better with age!

[TheFamilyCat]

Only Tendulkar, Kallis and Ponting have scored more test centuries than Root now

Only Tendulkar and Ponting have scored more test runs. That will be just Tendulkar very soon.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Only Tendulkar and Ponting have scored more test runs. That will be just Tendulkar very soon.

Every chance of catching him too over next 2-3 years

[ClaretTony]

Root passes Ricky Ponting and is now the second highest run scorer in test history

[Bosscat]

ROOOOOOOOOOT well done lad ... deserved cheers from the Old Trafford crowd

[Buxtonclaret]

Congratulations, Joe!

[claretonthecoast1882]

Going past Dravid, Kallis and Ponting in 1 knock is a decent roll call of scalps

[ClaretTony]

And Ponting in the commentary box when he went past him

[Bosscat]

Root gone for 150

[LeadBelly]

Been a fair few keeping low this last half day - as Woakes just found. England need to spin this out to get a big a lead as possible. Stokes coming back in now seems risky as he's an important bowler but presumably just cramp he had and treated with correct fluids and massages.

[ClaretTony]

Ton for Stokes. England 593/8.

[ClaretTony]

Becomes the fourth England player to score a century and take five wickets in an innings in a test match.

The others are Tony Greig, Ian Botham and Gus Atkinson. Botham did it five times.

[CoolClaret]

... and now the fun begins!

[CoolClaret]

Hereee we go!! 0-1, beautiful bowling from Woakes.

[CoolClaret]

0-2

[jrgbfc]

Was thinking about going tomorrow but i fancied us to skittle them cheaply today.

[Quickenthetempo]

Looks like Stokes is learning as captain. The good old keep that foot on the throat when on top.

Keep them out there until they want to quit and then send fresh bowlers after them.

[JR1882]

Was thinking about going tomorrow but i fancied us to skittle them cheaply today.

I’d be amazed if we don’t finish this today, 2 down already and an injured Pant unable to offer too much.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Two down at close of play.

Another fascinating day ahead in this great series.

[jrgbfc]

Fair play to India, thought they'd just crumble today. With a bit of rain around tomorrow it might end up being another thriller.

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Stokes has removed Rahul lbw
So 3 down

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Archer strikes

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Skipper gone
Jadeja in

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Root drops him first bsll

[Buxtonclaret]

Wonder if the last session will see loads & loads of wickets!

[Tribesmen]

Wonder if the last session will see loads & loads of wickets!

Let's face it we are looking at a draw

[Newcastleclaret93]

Not sure what’s happened to the wickets in England this summer but the groundsmen have produced some really shocking wickets.

This is a day 5 wicket at old Trafford and it’s like a road.

Slightly concerned that the lads are going to be in for a shock in Australia on pitches that actually do something

[Taffy on the wing]

I’d be amazed if we don’t finish this today, 2 down already and an injured Pant unable to offer too much.

This didn't age well at all!......retract before it's too late!

[Goodclaret]

I was at OT yesterday and it was an intriguing day for sure. Watching Stokes get his century and then seeing him bash 6's for fun was brilliant, followed by the two Woakes wickets. Fair play to India; they really did dig in and, as today is unfolding, look likely to grab a draw. What a fabulous series it's been. Special shout out to the Indian fans who created a great atmosphere with their drumming and singing - loved it!

[ElectroClaret]

365-4 so India lead by 54 runs.

[Buxtonclaret]

I've turned over for the footy!

[jdrobbo]

Results in red ball cricket at Old Trafford this year…

Draw
Draw
Draw
Draw
Draw

Draw*

They’re producing flat roads there. Very frustrating.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Can’t think why they’ve not get a test next year.

[ClaretTony]

Great effort from India in the last two days. Got the draw with ease.

[kentonclaret]

Brilliant Test Series thus far and great credit to India that we move on to the Oval for a 5th and final Test that is not a dead rubber.
Be interesting to see the lineups for that game.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Results in red ball cricket at Old Trafford this year…

Draw
Draw
Draw
Draw
Draw

Draw*

They’re producing flat roads there. Very frustrating.

Jimmy Anderson was spot on.

He said Old Trafford has gone really flat and he could only see one result here.

Awful for the spectacle though. No one enjoys watching two teams exhausted bowling 150 overs each innings

[Milltown1882]

Awful deck, no good competition bat v ball. 24 wickets in 5 days. Terrible test match.

[Milltown1882]

Results in red ball cricket at Old Trafford this year…

Draw
Draw
Draw
Draw
Draw

Draw*

They’re producing flat roads there. Very frustrating.

That’s insane.

[Newcastleclaret93]

That’s insane.

The oval is an absolute road also.

The last county championship game at the Oval saw Surrey score 820-9 the third highest ever score in this country.

Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s another draw.

[Milltown1882]

The oval is an absolute road also.

The last county championship game at the Oval saw Surrey score 820-9 the third highest ever score in this country.

Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s another draw.

It’s just flat to watch. Nothing in cricket beats a great contest where bat and ball are both in the game, I’d rather that than just flat tracks and games like this.

[matttheclaret]

It’s just flat to watch. Nothing in cricket beats a great contest where bat and ball are both in the game, I’d rather that than just flat tracks and games like this.

I agree. I've heard people say this has been a great series - I don't really think it has at all, far too batter friendly throughout

[fatboy47]

It’s just flat to watch. Nothing in cricket beats a great contest where bat and ball are both in the game, I’d rather that than just flat tracks and games like this.

Everyone seemed happy enough when England were piling up 600odd.

[yTib]

what a test!

after the first dozen overs i knew it would be a draw.

even i could wallop a fast ball on that wicket.

[DAVETHEVICAR]

Cricket can change on one ball
If only Root had caught Jadeja first ball who knows what would have happened

[kentonclaret]

The oval is an absolute road also.

The last county championship game at the Oval saw Surrey score 820-9 the third highest ever score in this country.

Wouldn’t be surprised if it’s another draw.

If I was searching for a meaningless stat as far as this Test Series goes that would top the bill.
Those runs by Surrey were scored during a round of fixtures using the Kookaburra ball in which Worcester scored over 600 runs and Northampton over 700!
So, unless they are switching to the Kookaburra for the final Test that stat bears no relevance.

[Ric_C]

Are they creating pitches to last 5 days for the revenue?

[Newcastleclaret93]

If I was searching for a meaningless stat as far as this Test Series goes that would top the bill.
Those runs by Surrey were scored during a round of fixtures using the Kookaburra ball in which Worcester scored over 600 runs and Northampton over 700!
So, unless they are switching to the Kookaburra for the final Test that stat bears no relevance.

They also drew 2 of the 3 games before that as well.

I think in the context of this series where the ball has moved the least amount than any of the last 5 English series, it doesn’t bode well at all.

[CoolClaret]

Are they creating pitches to last 5 days for the revenue?

We make flat pitches now in England for some reason - may be it's so that it isn't a total shock when we play overseas, but I can't quite understand why we keep preparing them.