ONLY ANOTHER 498 TO WIN NOW, LADS

Struggling Cook is the key to survival in record run chase

ENGLAND’S batsmen have been told to show “gumption” and “guts”, as they try to pull the third Test out of the fires of annihilation.

And it is the senior men – Alastair Cook, Joe Root and Ben Stokes – who need to take a leaf out of Virat Kohli’s book, when it comes to batting in these conditions, after another masterclass from the Indian skipper.

Kohli eased to his 23rd Test ton as he set England a mammoth 521 to win across two days in Nottingham, a fanciful target, but perhaps one that will allow the home side to show they have got more than collapso cricket in their locker. “Having had such a poor first innings, you would expect your batsmen to show some gumption and some guts and get stuck in and show they are the best players,” said assistant coach Paul Farbrace. “You’re looking for Cook, Root, Stokes to get stuck in and show they are top-quality players. We can defend, and talk about our team saying we’ve got lots of good players, but the important thing is going out and doing it in the middle. “I’m a big believer in players learning from players and I think our guys will be watching the way Virat Kohli lets the ball come to him. “You’re looking for the best players to learn from the best. “You would be hard pressed to argue against him being the best player in the world at the moment, and the way he has played through this series has been fantastic.” At least England will also have the services of Jonny Bairstow when needed, after the stumper got a nasty blow on his left middle finger taking a ball that moved after it passed the bat, and an X-ray confirmed it was fractured. Bairstow is one of only two England players to have scored a Test ton in 2018, Chris Woakes is the other, and losing him when the batting is already so fragile would have been a huge loss. Whether he will be able to play a further part in the series beyond this match is another matter. “It wobbled and I just copped it on the end,” said Bairstow. “It is part and parcel of this job. It is a fracture, but it’s not displaced and that is a big thing. “We are hopeful that a bit more ice overnight and some protection will help. “It is my top hand and it just goes numb after the ice bath, so we will see how it is in the morning.” England have got a huge mountain to climb, but they will hope that India’s catching continues to match their own sloppy efforts, with another two being grassed on a day when the visitors just ground them down.