England found it hard-going on the final day of the fourth Test against India, toiling away but failing to find the wickets needed to win the game.
They had been in a dominant position after restricting their visitors to 0/2 in the first over of the final innings, but some stern resistance ensured India go into the final Test with the hope of saving the series.
There were still plenty of talking points from the final day, however. One was Ben Stokes battling through with the ball, having made a century and then carrying out long bowling spells despite potential injury issues.
Then there was a discussion of the two attacks, with both teams starting to tire with one game still to go.
So, for the final time this week, our man David Lloyd was at Old Trafford to dissect all the big talking points, from Stokes’ fitness, to India’s star, and a throwback to an action of an India great.
Mail Sport presents the latest edition of BUMBLE ON THE TEST.
Ben Stokes battled injury fears to try and lead his side to victory over India at Old Trafford
They couldn’t, however, find the wickets needed to win the game and had to settle for a draw
Ben battling through
Watching Ben Stokes bowl in the morning session was painful. If he were a racehorse, he’d have been sent to the knacker’s yard because it looked like he was falling to bits, holding his shoulder and grimacing with every delivery.
Somehow, though, he just kept going and got the wicket of KL Rahul. He really is a remarkable cricketer and England will now need to patch him up for the Oval.
Shubman the superstar
Shubman Gill confirmed he is going to be an absolute superstar and a new hero for India at No 4, following in the footsteps of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.
Like all the greats, he seems to have so much time. My only worry for him is whether the captaincy will eventually weigh him down.
There is no sign of that in this series, but if you’ve got a player as good as that, why not just let him bat?
India captain Shubman Gill confirmed he is going to be an absolute superstar and a new hero
Ravindra Jadeja, though, would be in my dream XI if I was only allowed one players from each side
I’ll stick with Jadeja
I got asked in the pub the other day: who would you choose if you could have only one player from each team?
Gill, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah are all candidates for India, but I am having Ravindra Jadeja. He is in the game all the time and an absolute sticker with the bat, as he showed against yesterday.
For England, I am going for Stokes over Joe Root.
Sachin’s masterclass
India’s resolute batting on Sunday made me think of watching them practise years ago at Old Trafford.
Tendulkar stayed behind in the nets with a coach and played purely defensive shots. His little game was to try and drop the ball dead without it hitting the side of the net, something you can only do with soft hands. It is a real skill and India are masters of it.
Give bowlers a break
Bowlers of both teams have flogged themselves to a standstill on a pitch that has been an absolute back breaker. When Bumrah, the best bowler in the world, can’t get a jot out of it, you know it’s a grueller.
Talk is that the Oval will have more grass on it and the bowlers are going to need it. Both teams will also have to change their attacks because they look absolutely knackered.
Bowlers of both teams have flogged themselves to a standstill over the last week
Both sides will have to change their attacks for the Oval because their bowlers look knackered
The kids were all right
Walking round the ground, I noticed many young children playing impromptu games of cricket. It was marvellous how they just organised themselves. But it did make me think how grounds should set aside a designated area for children to go and play, with community coaches looking after it.
A day at a Test is a long time for kids to sit through, so give them a space to have a bat and a bowl.
Old (lady) Trafford!
I have thoroughly enjoyed hosting my Bumble’s Legends Lounge at Old Trafford. There were no casualties, but there was one misdemeanour when a patron flatly refused to move out of a seat which was designated to someone else.
Some colourful language ensued, but we dealt with it in a very diplomatic manner as the culprit was well into her 80s. We delicately defused the situation by offering her another stiff gin and tonic.
