Live Test Match Blogging / Ed Hawkins / 22 December 2008 /

England look to have missed the boat in terms of levelling the Series. But day five pitches do strange things and an England win, or more likely, an India win (if early England wickets fall) may still be on the cards. Ed Hawkins will be talking us through all the action from 08:30 am onwards on Tuesday morning.

10.37 DRAW, INDIA WIN SERIES 1-0
Thank goodness for that. A draw has been agreed and India take the series comfortably as they were expected to do. Some positives for England, some negatives, too, all of which will be discussed in the Day Five verdict. That's it from me on the blog for now. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

10.35 Eng 64-1
If Bell's position in the team is rarely called into question, then what about Alastair Cook? Well, he's untocuhable. He averages only 36 in 2008 (poor considering there were six matches against New Zealand) and his last Test century came 21 innings ago. Too long. If Cook and Bell survive for a tour of West Indies, which they probably will, and the pair disappoint again, England might have to begin an Ashes summer with a new batting line-up.

10.25 Eng 63-1
Sky have been reduced to showing highlights of Virender Sehwag's second innings in Chennai to avert boredom. Predictably Ian Bell is 23 not out. That is his highest score in the series and it has come when it matters not a jot. Ok, ok, I'll stop now with the Bell knocking. Perhaps I'm being unfair. Let's find a new target ... what about Alastair Cook?

10.13 Eng 53-1
Two snowmen are standing in a park. One says to the other "can you smell carrot?" What would England coach Peter Moores want for Christmas? Gosh, his list to Santa must have been lengthy. There are not enough Little Helpers in the world to help poor out Peter. England have beaten only New Zealand (twice) and West Indies in his tenure and I find it strange that the media have not been on his back. When Duncan Fletcher, who was hugely undervalued, was in charge he was often criticised for the most ludcirous things, like not smiling. Moores is not fit to lace Fletcher's boots in terms of planning, preparation and tactics yet can't stop smiling. But I've seen very little criticism.

10.00 Eng 41-1
There would have to be another seven overs before the match can be halted. Porbably best for all concerned that they do shake hands after that and call it a draw. I expect some of the players have some Christmas shopping to do. I'd be keen to get hold of a few rugs from some of the Mohali bazaars if I was out there. I expect Kevin Pietersen may wish for something slightly more extravagant. Perhaps the brain of a genius if he is to lead England onwards and upwards in the Test arena. Note to Jessica: buy him The Art of Captaincy, by Mike Brearley.

09.50 Eng 34-1
We're back after the break. Almost one-and-a-half hours in and I haven't entioned the odds. Not that they are worth discussing because this match is meandering to a draw. There isn't even a price for the stalemate now. India are [200.00] and England are [1000]. In the meantim we could amuse ourselves by wondering what some of the players will receive, or would like to receive, for Xmas?

09.20 Eng 31-1 TEA
Pretty atrocious stuff from Bell so far. You've got a bat pal, use it. An indication of how poor Bell has been in 2008 comes in the form of his average for the year. Just 36 - and that includes 199 v SA and a further century against New Zealand. This year he has played SIX matches against the Kiwis. It is no way near good enough. England announce their squad for the West Indies two days after Christmas. Bell shouldn't be in it.

09.07 Eng 20-1
Apt that India should claim a wicket so soon after that last post. Alastair Cook (10) was the man to go, caught by VVS Laxman off Zaheer Khan. Ian Bell is at the crease. "A good opportunity for him to get some runs under his belt," sayd David Lloyd. It is a good opportunity but whether he takes it should be irrelevant. It would be typical of Bell to score a pretty 30 or 40 here when the pressure is off. Time for him to be replaced by Owais Shah in this side methinks.

09.00 Eng 16-0
England were last bowled out in less than 41 overs in 2007 against Sri Lanka in Galle. They made just 81. Previous to that they were knocked over for 112 in 39 overs against Australia in Perth in 1997. India did manage to bowl out England in only 26 overs. That was in Mumbai in 1981 and England scored 102. Am I sad for finding all that interesting?

08.45 Eng 10-0
Nothing remarkable is going to happen here. This pitch is far too good for India to get anywhere close to 10 wickets in these last 40-or so overs. There doesn't seem to be much appetite from India's bowlers, either and there is an odd atmosphere about the game. India's lead when they declared was 402 and it surprising that they batted on for so long. Now, no-one is saying that MS Dhoni should have given England a target to chase but he could have incrased his team's chances of taking the series 2-0 by packing up at least 50 runs earlier. Certainly England wold have even struggled to score 300 in the time that was left. A 2-0 win would have moved India into second place in the world rankings. That should have been encouragement enough for Dhoni.

08.35 Eng 2-0
An anti-climax this morning. It's a bit like being eight or nine years old and waking on Christmas morning to discover to find dad, in a dishevelled mess from the night before, pulling your stocking from the cupboard under the stairs, presents toppling out in haphazard fashion, and him stubbing his toe on a chair causing him to curse loudly. It is then you realise that is was all a fairytale ... dad is a bit of an arse.

08.20 India 251-7d
Good morning sports fans. You awake to news that England have lost the series and need to survive a tricky 43 overs to avoid a 2-0 humbling. India declared after Gautam Gambhir fell three short of his second century in the match. Yuvraj SIngh (86) also missed out as India suffered their third run out in the innings. Alas, I've had to put the Christmas tree in the chipper and set fire to the decorations because Graeme Swann has pipped Andrew Flintoff to top series wicket-taker.

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