Live Test Match Blog: India v England Day Five
Live Test Match Blogging
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Ed Hawkins /
14 December 2008 /
It's come down to the deciding day in Chennai. After three-and-a-half brilliant days, England let their advantage slip with ponderous batting and loose bowling, and yet a win is still possible. Let Ed Hawkins talk you through the final action from the first Test.
10.30 India win by six wickets
Tendulkar 100. One of the great innings. One of the great Tests. And as David Lloyd says on commentary "This is for Mumbai". India have chased down the fourth highest target in Test history in fourth innings. Could there be a more fitting result, engineered by a more fitting player? Nope. Mumbai's favourite son has given the city something to smile about again.
10.20 India 376-4, target 387
It is an indication of how well Sachin Tendulkar (96) has played that he has offered only one slim chance. When he had 10 he prodded forward and offered a catch to Alastair Cook at silly midoff. The ball barely got off the ground and hit Cook on the boot. Let'shope the Little Master, who is from Mumbai, get his ton.
10.03 India 357-4
Easy now for India. England are a broken team. But regardless of the result, or whether you've had a winning bet or a losing one, it has to be said that this Test has been fantastic. And to think it might not have happened at all. By ensuring the game went ahead, the two sides sent a message that terror does not win. By producing an epic, they have rammed that point home.
09.50 India 345-4
Another confusable about BBC Sports Personality of the Year was the Unsung Hero Award. Don't know who they gave it too. But isn't it a contradiction in terms? If you have an unsung hero and then you give him a gong, surely he becomes a sung hero.Or is he just a little more sung than his fellow nominees who remain unsung but, again, by dint of being included are also sung suddenly a bit extra. And who is doing the ruddy singing? The best thing for the BBC to do was to give the unsung hero the trophy and then take it back ... immediately.
09.35 India 342-4, target 387
India are [1.01] after England failed to take early wickets after tea. Defeat for England in this Test is not surprising - India are close to unbeatable at home - in isolation, but the fact that the visitors had their foot on the throat of India, only to wander off will make this difficult to take for their supporters.
09.20 India 321-4, target 387
Did anyone see Sports Personality of the Year last night? My word it was awful. The BBC's idea of what the public want looks to be wide of the mark. If they think a ramp, some shiny paper and dangling a car from the ceiling is going to make us coo they are sadly mistaken. It would have been groundbreaking stuff had it been 1979. At least Sue Barker loved it. "What an entrance!" she exclaimed as the cyclists freewheeled down the ramp. Easily pleased was a phrase that came to mind. They are bicycles, Sue. They have been around almost as long as you. England have taken the new ball by the way. Emailme at hawkeyeview@hotmail.co.uk
09.15 India 317-4
"What an absulute cock!" The words of my awakening flatmate upon hearing Pietersen is yet to take the new ball. Not put in the most poetic of ways but accurate all the same. We should not be surprised by Pietersen's poor decision making. At the business end of this game he has been badly exposed as a captain out of his depth. Or a cock, I suppose.
09.05 310-4
The new ball is available but England have not taken it. If I was to say 'try working that out' I would essentially be asking what was going on in Kevin Pietersen's mind. A conundrum, of course, that will baffle some of the greatest minds for years to come. In 80 overs England have taken only four wickets with this ball, but according to KP things are suddenly going to change.
08.50 India 304-4, target 387. TEA
England will need rapid fire after tea. You can back them at [10.00] on the match odds market and then look to lay off. It may not be a bad ploy because although Tendulkar and Yuvraj look serene at the moment, never underestimate the potential for panic. A quick wicket and India will suddenly start to feel the pressure. Pads, thigh guards, gloves and what have you will be flying around the dressing room. The pitch will help in this regard, too. It is not an easy one for a new batsman to come in and score on. The biggest reason to take a chunk of the big odds about England, however, is that with the innings 79 overs old, they are an over from getting a new ball.
08.35 India 304-4, target 387. TEA
Morning all. You've joined us just in time to see a slice of history. India are chasing down the fourth highest total in Test history to win a match in the fourth innings. Bar the early wicket of Rahul Dravid, who knicked off when it was still black outside in London, England have not been in the game. The sun is rising for India. There is a small chance for England, who can regroup, eat some bananas or something and then come out and give it a go, but Sachin Tendulkar looks impervious and Yuvraj Singh is playing freely as if there is no pressure at all.