An umpire walks into the ground to inspect after rain stopped play during the third day of first test cricket match between England and India, at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England. (AP Photo)India vs England (IND vs ENG) 1st Test: Day five of India vs England was abandoned due to rain and the first match of WTC23 ended in a draw on Sunday.
Persistent rain proved to be anti-climactic as India, who had a realistic shot at victory in the series-opener, were forced to share points with England after entire fifth day’s play was washed out. India needed to score 157 runs on the final day but the rain did not allow a single ball. As part of the new World Test Championship cycle, both India and England log home four points each.
Earlier, chasing a total of 209, India got off to a good start in the run chase despite losing the wicket of KL Rahul for 26. India need 157 more runs on Day 5 with nine wickets in hand.
On Day 4, England skipper Joe Root led from the front with a superb counter-attacking hundred but Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul on the fourth day made India favourites to chase down the tricky target. It was Root’s 21st Test hundred — a masterful 109 off 172 balls, that saw England put up a much-improved batting show, scoring 303 in 85.5 overs. In the time left during the penultimate hour, India scored 52 for one with Stuart Broad dismissing KL Rahul (26 off 38 balls) with a beauty. Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara were unbeaten on 12 each. However, persistent rain dashed all hopes of a result on Sunday.
Playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Shahbaz Nadeem
England: Rory Burns, Dominic Sibley, Daniel Lawrence, Joe Root(c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler(w), Dominic Bess, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach, James Anderson
England
183 (65.4) u0026 303 (85.5)India
278 (84.5) u0026 52/1 (14.0)England drew with India
India's Jasprit Bumrah, left, bowls a delivery past England's Dom Sibley during the fourth day of the first Test. (AP)
'We thought we had a chance right in front of us. We were on top in the game after batting and bowling well. It's a shame we couldn't complete Day Five. On day five we knew we had our chances. We certainly felt like we were on top of the game. Getting that lead was crucial, but it's a shame we couldn't finish day five.'
Day 5 abandoned due to rain, match ends in a draw. No play is possible on Day 5 at Trent Bridge as rain has the final say. England and India will go again in the second Test at Lord's from Thursday. A very frustrating day for cricket fans. Should the ICC initiate reserve days for all test matches, not just the WTC final? a lot of positives for India to take especially with the seam bowling department which snared 20 English wickets. James Anderson and Ollie Robinson too look in fine form and it does seem like pacers will play a significant role going forward.
Tea has been taken, we've officially got only one session left for India to chase these runs. However, the big news is it has stopped raining now on the ground. At least for now.
There is no positive news from Trent Bridge yet as the rain refuses to relent. The scheduled inspection was also delayed due to rain. However, according to forecasts, it should stop raining by 9 PM IST
It has started to rain and the inspection has been delayed. As of now rain has relented a bit but could be back anytime. Super soppers out, fingers crossed, rain, rain go away!
UPDATE - It has stopped raining and there will be an inspection at 2.30 PM local time ( 7 PM IST)
We're nearing the scheduled start of the second session and it is still raining in Nottingham.
No action in the first session of day five due to persistent rain at Trent Bridge. Early lunch has been called. Remember that play can go till 19:30 local (12:00am Indian time) weather permitting.
Sorry folks we have some bad news as of now. It's raining heavily in Nottingham at the moment. First session is likely to be washed out.
It's still raining out here in Nottingham. It doesn't seem like play will be starting anytime soon. Hopefully we get some play later today though as we should be in for a cracking finish.
We are going to see a delayed start at Trent Bridge as it has started raining. The rain has, as they say at the Met Office, become a little more organised. Persistent precipitation continues to fall"
Jasprit Bumrah's name gets inscribed on Trent Bridge honours board after five-wicket haul for 2nd time
It is wet and windy here at Trent Bridge
England desperately needed something to show for its time in the field and, after 10 wicketless overs, Broad provided it with a teaser that tempted Rahul in and took his edge. Cheteshwar Pujara survived a bat-pad scare moments before the close as he and Rohit Sharma survived for stumps.
Joe Root struck a classy captain's century to keep England alive in the first test against India on Saturday and tee up a potentially thrilling day-five finale at Trent Bridge. India had an hour to respond to England's much-improved 303 all out, losing KL Rahul to a wicked delivery from Stuart Broad but chipping a useful 52 off their chase to leave another 157 required. Stay tuned for live updates of Day 5.