The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

If you believe the modern-day masses, then you will think that test cricket is on its way out. Well, after the fifth and final test between England and India, here’s to hoping that isn’t the case!

After coming into the final test of the series with a 2-1 lead, many observers expected a near procession for England as they closed the fifth match at The Oval and win the series.

What transpired couldn’t have been further from that. India defended 373 and beat England by six runs in a game that will go down as one of the all-time classics. Batting first, India made 224 all out. 

There was an element that the tourists didn’t get enough on the board, batting first time. As true cricket fans, one can truly know that when the opposition comes to bat in reply to their first innings. 

In this case, England sought to build a lead from India’s first innings score of 224, which they managed to do, albeit with a relatively modest lead of 23, which could arguably prove costly. 

Ben Duckett (43) and Zak Crawley (64) were the only two players to have made some kind of telling contribution in the hosts’ second innings. So, with just 23, India managed to get back to parity with relative ease.
 
Yushavi Jaiswal (118) and night-watchman Akash Deep (66), the men crucial in zapping the life out of Ollie Pope’s England. Six dropped catches didn’t help England as Harry Brook and Zak Crawley were amongst the players to drop catches. 

A tired and weary England did get India out, but not until Shubman Gill’s men made 396, a lead of 373, which meant England needed to go into Bazball mode again and chase down a mammoth total. 

Despite being poor in parts of this test match, it appeared that Joe Root (105) and Brook (111) put on 195 for the fourth wicket, which appeared to swing the game in England’s favour. 

The fall of three wickets changed the game again. Still with just 35 runs to win and four wickets remaining, it was still doable for the Three Lions, right? WRONG! Very wrong. India’s talisman, Siraj, got the last three wickets to fall, to send the Indian fans into pandemonium. 

Say what you want about this India side, but they showed real grit and resolve. Shubman Gill’s side played a significant role in setting up this series to be a classic. 

Fancy smelling nice for the summer? Why not try amour scents and get 10% off your order;

https://amourscents.com/?ref=8jvems1i

Support The Sports Buff

Hello, good morning beloved Beards. I hope you’re well. We hear at ayyazmalik.com love telling stories and sharing them too. Alhamdulillah we have been operating for over six years and we’re looking to solidify our website and help it grow too, but we need your support please.

Whatever large or little amount you think you can spare, it’s still even bigger to us. With your kind donation/support we want to give a contribution to the local community sports hall, to help young kids do what they do best, have fun! Thank you for your support.