- England chased down India with brilliant fourth-inning batting performance
- Ben Stokes’ men are 1-0 up in series and Shubman Gill looked new to captaincy
- Hats off to the groundsman for producing a proper Test match wicket
England chased down India in thrilling style to go 1-0 up in the five-match Test series on Tuesday.
Ben Duckett’s brilliant 149 helped put Ben Stokes’ side in a commanding position and Joe Root combined with Jamie Smith to finish the job in the final session.
Here, Mail Sport’s David Lloyd gives his take on the final day and opening Test – noting the key difference between the sides and naming which star would get in a World XI.
Duckett is England’s Sehwag
Ben Duckett has come a long way since he poured a drink over Jimmy Anderson on an Ashes tour. He is now England’s answer to Virender Sehwag and opening the batting in your World XI.
The reverse sweep is such a natural shot for him. He plays it for fun. It’s no surprise to learn he was a good hockey player at school because it’s like a hockey shot.
Gill looks green as skipper
Captaincy in this series will now come under the microscope. Ben Stokes is experienced and almost always ahead of the game. He is very well organised, calm on the field and authoritative.
On the other hand, Shubman Gill is an ace batsman but new to Test match captaincy and it shows. We have seen in this game that he is reactive rather than proactive and can get confused.
Headingley delivers again
This has been a near-perfect pitch and so we have had another Headingley classic. Hats off to the groundsman for producing a proper Test match wicket, not a chief executive’s cash cow.
It is no fluke that there has been a result in the last 11 Tests at Headingley. So what a shame there is no Ashes Test here in 2027. Who comes up with these wonderful ideas?
Nasser’s Yorkshire ancestry…
Nasser Hussain said on Sky that they should let fans in for free on the fifth afternoon. In my opinion, £20 for the day is an absolute steal, but we all know Nasser is very careful with his cash.
From my time at Sky, whenever there was a suggestion that we do something special after play, he would always ask: ‘Is it free?’. I think he must have Yorkshire ancestors.
Consistent selection pays off
Is there prestige in being a selector or is it a thankless job? One thing you must do is cut out the external clammer for change and back your judgment.
There has been scrutiny over Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. But England – with Luke Wright helping Stokes, McCullum and Key – have backed both and they have been repaid this summer. Consistency breeds confidence.
Bumrah can move up my rankings
I did a piece for Mail+ ranking my greatest fast bowlers, which has caused a reaction, as I knew it would. I can’t get away from Fred Trueman as No 1.
That’s a hurrah for the old stagers. But Jasprit Bumrah is my No 5 and I wouldn’t be surprised if he moves up the charts over his career. Mind you, he’d have to go some to beat Fred.
Remembering Dilip Doshi
I was saddened to hear of the passing of former India spinner Dilip Doshi. He was in the shadow of Bishen Bedi but was a very accomplished bowler in his own right, with a beautiful, rhythmical action.
Very softly spoken and always immaculately dressed, he adorned county cricket with Nottinghamshire. You may also be surprised to know he was friendly with the Rolling Stones.
