BIG BEN STRIKES THRICE ON EVE OF COURT DATE
Newcastle facing a Rafa ride
he does in every other game. He’s so dedicated.
“Whatever happens, he’s always going to be part of our dressing room.”
After Jimmy Anderson struck in the first over of the day, England were seeking inspiration. And it came when Stokes took start when Jimmy Anderson snared Dinesh Karthik.
The only person happier than the world’s No.1 ranked bowler would have been Dawid Malan, who dropped centurion Virat Kohli in the first innings but went some way to make amends with a fine grab.
England then found life tough. The ball did not move as much as it had during the opening three days and with skipper Kohli the dangerman at the crease there was over. He trapped Kohli leg before and that was all the encouragement the hosts needed.
Root added: “Coming into today we knew it would be a stiff test and I asked the guys to come in and show a bit of passion and really give everything.
“I tried to be calm today even if I didn’t always the chance he would see the job through.
Anderson and fellow new-ball partner Stuart Broad had been seen off by the Indians who were steadily reducing the target towards the 50-run mark.
But with just his third ball, Stokes changed the course of the match.
Kohli, on 51, moved too far over and the ball rapped him on the pads. There was a nervous wait until the review ended in England’s favour. That sparked wild scenes of jubilation as an assortment of cavemen, bananas, netballers, traffic cones and sailors – obviously those fans in fancy dress – sensed that the match had just reached a critical turning point.
That feeling was enhanced two balls later when England celebrated an eighth wicket.
Mohammed Shami edged behind to Jonny Bairstow and the finishing line was in sight.
For a while Hardik Pandya threatened to upset the party with a couple of lusty blows. But Root brought Adil Rashid back into the attack and he appear to be, but that sort of atmosphere doesn’t make it easy – that’s what it’s all about.
“We knew there was a lot of hard work to be done even once Virat was out so we didn’t get ahead of ourselves.
“We’re really proud to have got over the line.” trapped Ishant Sharma lbw before Stokes finished it off by having Pandya caught at first slip by Alastair Cook.
England’s players formed a victory huddle at their most successful venue in domestic Tests.
That is nine straight international victories now at Fortress Edgbaston. And 17 Tests have been played there against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India without the hosts tasting defeat. MANCHESTER CITY at 8/11 are the first odds-on favourite for the Premier League title since 2006 when Chelsea kicked-off at 4/9. Finished second.
It’s still a good race for favourites, with 11 of the last 20 collecting, at prices ranging from very tiny to quite small.
The relegation race is a better bet for punters hunting hearty returns. Newcastle could do a Stoke, and are worth a bet at 11/2 (888sport) to drop.
Too few goals. And only one Rafa Benitez (left).