As Sunday afternoon ticked into a balmy evening, England had little to cling on to.
The home side were bowled out – most of them literally – by the brilliance of the Indians, who used the assistance of the awakened pitch to devastating effect. The tourists moved to 41-1 in pursuit of their target of 193.
Brydon Carse bowled better than his first-innings figures of 1-88 suggested. As stumps on the fourth day drew near, he finally got his rewards.
In a chaotic last half hour, Carse charged down the Lord’s slope like a thoroughbred that had unseated its rider. Karun Nair was befuddled into kicking one off his stumps, captain Shubman Gill also pinned after overturning being given caught behind.
Chris Woakes demanded more from the home fans, Joe Root conducted the orchestra from first slip. India were outraged when Zak Crawley tried to waste time on Saturday, yet that did not stop nightwatchman Akash Deep doing the same on Sunday. No matter, his off stump was removed by Ben Stokes. Pandemonium.
“The last hour of viewing, our guys running in really well, there was an edge out there and it creates a great spectacle,” said former England opener Trescothick.
“We were fairly relaxed in the dressing room, controlling the emotions of what’s going on. We all enjoy every wicket but we are still very controlled in what we are trying to do.”
How much control exists on Monday morning remains to be seen. Woakes dropped KL Rahul on five and the unflappable opener is unbeaten on 33.
Rishabh Pant, apparently fit enough to bat but not keep wicket, is due in next. His chaos theory could win this in the blink of an eye.
“Rahul holds the key for the stability of India’s side,” former England captain Sir Alastair Cook told Test Match Special. “While he is there the dressing room will feel relaxed.
“It is about who handles pressure better. It should be England, considering they are the home side and slightly more experienced. If Pant gets going, then none of these things matter. If he doesn’t then the pressure on India is turned up even more.”
