England chase record total of 378 to beat India in final test; level series at 2-2
The change in leadership and coach has dramatically changed the English men’s test team. And they prove this once again by winning their fourth consecutive test this summer.
They defeat India in a riveting encounter by chasing a record total of 378 runs in the fourth inning. Credit to some fantastic batting by Root and Bairstow, England levelled the series 2-2.
England chased massive score of 378
Many people were questioning the transformation in the English team. Ben Stokes taking the mantle of captain and MacCallum becoming the coach was a massive change in English test cricket. Hence, when the three lions won the 3-match series against New Zealand, many called it a fluke.
Hence, the stage was set when they faced the mighty Indian team in a one-off test.
It was one of the rarest scenarios where a series was stretched over a year. India and England had engaged in a five-match test series in 2021. Out of which, they were only able to complete 4 matches. The final test was postponed due to the COVID-19 infection in the Indian team. As a result, the test was decided to be held in 2022, when India was about to tour England for white-ball cricket.
So, the stage was set for England to prove to the world that they were definitely a changed side. And they did the same by breaking several records in the wake of it.
They failed in the first inning miserably. Firstly, they conceded 416 runs in the first inning. And then faltered for just 284 runs while batting.
Great batting by Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow
The second inning, however, saw a change in fortune as they dismissed the Indian batters for just 245 runs. Yet they had a mountain of a target to chase in the final inning.
But the fourth inning was England’s forte, and they batted like it.
To start on the right foot, Alex Lees smashed a feisty fifty. This set the tone perfectly for the batters to come.
Joe Root and Bairstow, in particular, dropped their anchor during tough times. They maneuvered the inning through some tough times when Indian bowlers were dominating.
A hard-fought fifty by both the batters saw England establish a commanding position at the end of Day four. They needed 119 runs on the last day, which they chased down within the first session to win the game comprehensively.
Joe Root scored an inning of 142 runs, and Bairstow added 114 runs. Together they forged an unbeaten partnership of 269 runs to hand India a defeat in the final test.
Bumrah failed to steer India to a historic victory. As they failed to pick the remaining 7 wickets. India is yet to register a series victory in Tests Under Rahul Dravid’s coaching tenure.
Both the teams have had an opposite run of form in tests recently. While England has won all their four tests this summer, India has lost 3 out of their four previous tests.
