Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow masterclass leaves England chasing 119 heading into final day
- Sean Fisher
- 4 July 2022
England's Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow made a defiant stand of 150 on day four to leave England dreaming about a blockbuster finish against India on the final day.
England head into day five of the final Test match against India chasing 119 runs in 100 overs, after a brilliant batting display from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow at Edgbaston.
The hosts made quick work of India upon resumption in the morning, and then set about chasing a record 378.
Zak Crawley made a superb start with a half century, and fellow opener Alex Lees followed suit with 46 to put a noticable dent in India's lead.
Ollie Pope's brief cameo ended in a duck after just three deliveries, with India captain Jasprit Bumrah claiming a quickfire double.
But upon the introduction of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, momentum truly swung in favour ofย the hosts.
Watching this team play Test cricket โค๏ธ
โ England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 4, 2022
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/jKoipFmvoB
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ #ENGvIND ๐ฎ๐ณ pic.twitter.com/oCpzWWeDUm
With the duo managing five centuries between them in the last five weeks, hopes began to grow as they started to cut into India's lead. Boundaries began to flow, with 17 fours and one six between them at the end of play.
Having started their stand with England on 109, they put on a stubborn display in the Birmingham sunshine and ended the day unbeaten with a combined 148 - Root managing 76, while Bairstow will resume on 72.
With 119 needed and belief implausibly high after knocking off 277, 299 and 296 against New Zealand in the last month, a packed-out Edgbaston will be full of hope in what is bound to be a climactic final day.
๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด! ๐
โ Edgbaston (@Edgbaston) July 4, 2022
Tomorrowโs Day Five allocation is SOLD OUT.
Thank you for your support and any donations made. Incredible. ๐ฅ#Edgbaston | #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/jzg7fGO32R
A full house of more than 23,000 will be in attendance to watch the latest unlikely victory charge of the Stokes-Brendon McCullum era after Warwickshire followed the example of Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire by offering free entry for the final day.
Play resumes on day five at 10:30 BST.
