🏏England vs India, 3rd Test Day 5, Lords - Jul10- 14 - Page 7

STAT: England have batted 72 times in the Bazball era, this is just the second instance of them going at under 3 RPO in the first 40 overs of their innings. The previous had come in the fourth innings of their first Test in this sequence - against NZ at Lord’s in 2022 - they were 112/4 from 40 overs en route to a successful 277-run chase. For context, England have an overall run-rate of 4.6 in this timeframe, the next best is India’s 3.63.

MK: Growing up in the 90s, I used to watch only the parts of overseas Test matches where India was batting. These days, it’s just as exciting to see our seamers challenge the opposition and make them fight for every run.

Good news for India! Latest update on Pant is that there's no serious injury on his finger and he should be okay

Nikhil Kaushal: India’s bowlers have bowled just one no-ball so far today — a praiseworthy change from what we’ve seen in recent times.

STAT: 3000 Test runs for Joe Root against India - first player to do so against India. Only the third instances in non-Ashes Tests since Gary Sobers vs England (3214 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar (3630 runs).

Rajan: "Not being funny, Almost 42 overs bowled by pacers India are burning out their pace bowlers , is it not time to spinners? India have 2 and may be one of them could hold an end, whilst pace is on the other end. " -- I am sure Jadeja will be in action sooner rather than later

RobP: "Why is this considered boring? This is a 5 day Test Match. The idea is to get on top of the opposition and dictate the game. Besides, the last 10 overs have been going at 3.5 per over. "

Aacha hai Prasidh ko nikaldiye

Joe Root 51.

England 140/2

Slowest fifty for Joe Root in Bazball era (By Balls)

108 balls v SL, Manchester, 2024

108 balls v IND, Ranchi, 2024

102 balls v IND, This Match

91 balls v WI, Nottingham, 2024

88 balls v IND, Dharamshala, 2024

Namooh Shah, who's provided this stat, adds "only 4 of his 25 fifty plus scores in this span have taken more than 90 balls"