Left Arm Around

After England clinched a dramatic Test for the ages to secure a 2-1 series lead against India at Lord’s, here are the major talking points of a seesaw consent that saw the Three Lions win by just 22 runs. This encapsulating series is well and truly alive going into the fourth stanza at Old Trafford next week!

Crawley out?

Despite beginning the series with a battling 65 in a record-breaking chase at Headingley, scores of 19, 0, 18 & 22 since have brought increased question marks around the Kent opener’s place in the side. It would seem Stokes and McCullum are keen to maintain 27 year-old’s position in the side until at least the end of the Ashes, however England’s supporters are concerned about his consistent lack of consistency. The obvious next question is who would replace him should he dropped? There are no obvious candidates floating around on the county circuit.

Stokes worth his weight in gold

He may yet have caught alight with the bat this summer, but the captain’s prowess in the field and with the ball have been crucial in England taking a series lead. His outstanding run-out of the dangerous Rishabh Pant in the first innings stalled the Indians and ensured the scores were level after the first innings, while his figures of 3-48 in the tourists chase of 193 meant they fell narrowly short. The way Stokes continued to thunder in over after over with spells of high pace and accuracy proved he is the man for a big occasion. Even more impressive considering his recent injury record.

Jadeja undeserving of defeat

With 72 in the first innings and an unbeaten 61 under fire in the chase, Ravindra Jadeja struck his fourth half-century in as many innings to almost clinch India a famous victory. Reduced to 82-7 in the morning session as Jofra Archer removed Washington Sundar, Jadeja remained calm and combined brilliantly with a determined lower order. But for number 11 Mohammad Siraj’s freak dismissal to Shoaib Bashir, the 36 year-old may well have broken England hearts. Alongside compatriot Stokes, Jaddu is one of the modern game’s great all-rounders.

Archer truly missed

In his first Test since February 2021, a landmark many thought impossible, the 30 year-old quick took 5-107 across the match to claw England over the line. His pace was understandably down across a number of spells given his lack of practice in the format, but it really felt like Archer was there to provide a missing piece to the jigsaw. England’s attack was extremely underwhelming on docile surfaces at Headingley and Edgbaston, yet Archer’s extra pace seemed to unsettle the visiting batters. The highlight was a cracking delivery to knock over Rishabh Pant’s off-stump after he was nailed for four earlier in the over.

‘Needle’ is box-office

Following Mohammad Siraj’s verbal ‘send-off’ to Ben Duckett and England’s attempt to repay the favour later on, it seems the war of words between these two evenly matched teams has well and truly ignited. Siraj was subsequently fined 15% of his match fee, a decision many have labelled ridiculous, however one hopes that both sides continue to play hard and fair. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of sledging now and then….