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90th over: India 331-5 (Gill 124, Jadeja 50). Stokes manages to eke out a bit more carry and bounce to Jadeja, but India sail calmly on. They’ll be happy with this first half-hour.
“If we’re going for the best pavilion in local cricket I am going to nominate those of the excellent Dales League,” says James Austin, “IMO the cricket league which most embodies the true spirit of cricket and has the most beautiful grounds. Littondale CC have this top level pavilion: But arguably the location makes it worthwhile:
Admittedly, the pitch can be treacherous: You can see highlights from the league here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_dC-iutgv5/”
James has sent in some tasty pics too, which I’ll try to upload later using my sketchy pic-editing skillz.
To which Rachel Pearce adds: “The thatched pavilion of North Devon Cricket Club at Instow takes some beating.”
88th over: India 330-5 (Gill 123, Jadeja 50). Jadeja brings up a valuable half-century with another flick to leg and treats us to his trademark bat-sword celebration thing. What an asset he remains with bat in hand. The singles continue to come pretty easily.
88th over: India 327-5 (Gill 121, Jadeja 49). This partnership continues to look serene and untroubled. Stokes bangs one into the pitch and Jadeja nudges it off his ribs for another quick single, Gill adds another, then Jadeja repeats the shot for one more single.
87th over: India 322-5 (Gill 119, Jadeja 47). Woakes, yesterday’s stand-out, starts from the City End, and concedes four first up thanks to a gorgeously timed clip through midwicket by Jadeja. The umpire then has a word with Jadeja about running on the pitch (to give himself some juicy rough to bowl into later presumably), and the No 7 responds by veering sharply left and running the next single from the very edge of the strip. More anguish for Woakes ensues when a no-ball is edged through the cordon for four by Gill, who to be fair played it with good, soft hands.
86th over: India 312-5 (Gill 115, Jadeja 42). Ben Stokes opens up from the Pavilion end, though “pavilion” seems a misnomer these days given that it’s more a massive modern stand. In fact, the traditional pavilion is fading from view at England’s Test venues these days, with Trent Bridge also undergoing a makeover and Old Trafford’s old one partly obscured. What are our favourite pavilions? Get in touch with your hot hutch chat.
Anyway, Gill flicks the first ball away on the legside for a single as Stokes keeps it on the fuller length this pitch makes necessary. Jadeja dabs the shortest ball and the last ball of the over forward and runs a smart quick single – two from it.
Jerusalem rings out as the players toddle out.
It’s sunny with a smattering of clouds in south Birmingham. The pre-day pitch reort with Nasser Hussain and Stuart Broad highlights the lack of pace and bounce relative to Headingley. A few cracks are emerging and the greater heat could open them out a bit but the sluggish surface, Broad points out, gives batters time to react. “England shouldn’t be too worried,” he reckons.
Elsewhere, Steve Smith has made a quick return to Australia’s side for the second Test against West Indies as the tourists try to sort their batting out, having (eventually) comfortably won a first Test that had been compellingly nip-and-tuck for a couple of days.
Some day one reading before play starts:
Ali Martin’s report:
Andy Bull on the ever-watchable Rishabh Pant:
And our food and drink correspondent Simon Burnton deep-dives into the Hollies Stand and more:
KK Nair’s been having a pre-session chinwag with Sky on his return to the team: “It’s been amazing, what I’ve dreamed of, to finally be here and get this opportunity feels amazing,” he chirps. “I’ve always been prepared to bat wherever the team wants and I was told a couple of days ago I’d probably bat at three and was mentally well prepared for that. It’s a good chance to set up the game for the team. There are two different ways of playing [compared with at No 6] and as a batsman you have to be prepared to do both. I think we’re in a very good position, it’s about this morning’s session and continuing the partnership will be beneficial to us.”
As regards those late-order collapses, Nair says it’s “100% something that has to be discussed but not something we’re too worried about. It can happen and it’s our responsibility to stop it.”
Not cricket-related but some awful, tragic news:
Preamble
Morning/afternoon everyone. Round we go again then. As at Headingley, Ben Stokes won the toss yesterday and inserted India, whose captain made a composed century while England’s most potent bowler was a 30-something stalwart and the day ended with the tourists seemingly having compiled a commanding score.
The first session today should tell us a good deal more about how commanding it really is, and whether India’s team selection – which appeared to be more aimed at not losing the last Test than winning this one – has paid off. It’s been a batter’s series so far and England’s top seven will be looking forward to having a go on a thus-far placid surface against an attack missing Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav.
Anyway, the Edgbaston forecast is set fair – warm and dry but with the temperature not matching the horrors of earlier in the week – and the game could go in any direction. Let’s tuck in. Play starts at 11am BST.
