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Sun, 16 December 2012
4th Test: England batsmen make India toil on Day 4
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17:07 England batsmen make India toil on Day 4
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STUMPS - DAY 4
England 2nd inns: 161-3 (79 ovs)
The fourth day produced another dull and dreary day of Test cricket. 190 runs were scored in the day in 91.5 overs at just above two runs per over, while only four wickets fell in the day.
England score at just over two runs per over to reach 161 for four after 79 overs. With just three session to go on the final day and pitch not offering any kind of help to the bowlers, one can be assured that the match is slowly drifting towards a draw.
They stretched their lead to 165 runs, with seven wickets in hand.
Another hard day for the Indian bowlers as England batted without any real problems.
Trott came up with another good knock to finish unbeaten on 66 from 153 balls, while Bell got some much needed time in the middle to score 24 from 67 balls.
Ojha bowled the most number of overs taking one for 39 in 23 overs, while Ashwin and Jadeja took a wicket each.
A total of 32.2 overs were bowled after tea out of which 14 were maiden overs. England scored 80 runs in the session while losing one wicket.
STUMPS - DAY 4
England 2nd inns: 161-3 (79 ovs)
The fourth day produced another dull and dreary day of Test cricket. 190 runs were scored in the day in 91.5 overs at just above two runs per over, while only four wickets fell in the day.
England score at just over two runs per over to reach 161 for four after 79 overs. With just three session to go on the final day and pitch not offering any kind of help to the bowlers, one can be assured that the match is slowly drifting towards a draw.
They stretched their lead to 165 runs, with seven wickets in hand.
Another hard day for the Indian bowlers as England batted without any real problems.
Trott came up with another good knock to finish unbeaten on 66 from 153 balls, while Bell got some much needed time in the middle to score 24 from 67 balls.
Ojha bowled the most number of overs taking one for 39 in 23 overs, while Ashwin and Jadeja took a wicket each.
A total of 32.2 overs were bowled after tea out of which 14 were maiden overs. England scored 80 runs in the session while losing one wicket.
16:00 Trott, Bell swell England's total
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England 2nd inns: 144-3 (70 ovs)
Ashwin and Chawla bowling in tandem now. Trott and Bell have put on 50 runs for the fourth wicket in 85 balls to keep India at bay, who showed some life after the tea break.
Trott is batting on 59 and Bell is finding some touch on 15.
England have swelled their lead to 148 runs, with six overs left in the day
England 2nd inns: 144-3 (70 ovs)
Ashwin and Chawla bowling in tandem now. Trott and Bell have put on 50 runs for the fourth wicket in 85 balls to keep India at bay, who showed some life after the tea break.
Trott is batting on 59 and Bell is finding some touch on 15.
England have swelled their lead to 148 runs, with six overs left in the day
15:47
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England 2nd inns: 137-3 (66 ovs)
Lot of reactions on Twitter on Trott given not out and the reactions by the Indian players thereafter.
David Lloyd on Twitter: "BCCI wants all decisions to be left to umpires and accepted by the players .... Need to tell players"
Lawrence Booth: "Tucker and Kohli still in animated discussion as they take drinks. Could be interesting scenes in the years ahead if he ever captains India."
England 2nd inns: 137-3 (66 ovs)
Lot of reactions on Twitter on Trott given not out and the reactions by the Indian players thereafter.
David Lloyd on Twitter: "BCCI wants all decisions to be left to umpires and accepted by the players .... Need to tell players"
Lawrence Booth: "Tucker and Kohli still in animated discussion as they take drinks. Could be interesting scenes in the years ahead if he ever captains India."
15:33 Trott hits 50 to put England on top
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England 2nd inns: 130-3 (64 ovs)
Dhoni is standing up to the stumps for Sharma and the pacer drifts down the leg side which the keeper can't go to and is goes for four byes. Two balls later Ishant has a huge appeal for caught behind against Trott turned down. Most of the Indian team were up in appeal but umpire Dharmasena was not interested.
After bowling the next delivery which Trott defends Ishant has a go at him and the batsman calmly responds by blowing him a few kisses.
At the end of the over, few Indian players have a go at Trott, while Dhoni has an angry chat with the umpires.
Something to liven up the match late in the day!
Trott is getting under the skin of the Indians here. He drives a full delivery past the mid-off fielder for a four before a single off the last ball gets him his half-century from 106 balls.
England 2nd inns: 130-3 (64 ovs)
Dhoni is standing up to the stumps for Sharma and the pacer drifts down the leg side which the keeper can't go to and is goes for four byes. Two balls later Ishant has a huge appeal for caught behind against Trott turned down. Most of the Indian team were up in appeal but umpire Dharmasena was not interested.
After bowling the next delivery which Trott defends Ishant has a go at him and the batsman calmly responds by blowing him a few kisses.
At the end of the over, few Indian players have a go at Trott, while Dhoni has an angry chat with the umpires.
Something to liven up the match late in the day!
Trott is getting under the skin of the Indians here. He drives a full delivery past the mid-off fielder for a four before a single off the last ball gets him his half-century from 106 balls.
15:25
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England 2nd inns: 118-3 (60 ovs)
New batsman Ian Bell gets his first boundary in style as he flicks Jadeja through midwicket.
Trott then hits two boundaries in the next over from Ojha, as he cuts the fourth ball behind point and then flicks it fine on the leg side for the second boundary of the over.
Ishant Sharma is back into the attack as Dhoni stands up to the stumps. Bell smokes a full delivery through the covers for a boundary as England reach 118 for three after 60 overs.
England 2nd inns: 118-3 (60 ovs)
New batsman Ian Bell gets his first boundary in style as he flicks Jadeja through midwicket.
Trott then hits two boundaries in the next over from Ojha, as he cuts the fourth ball behind point and then flicks it fine on the leg side for the second boundary of the over.
Ishant Sharma is back into the attack as Dhoni stands up to the stumps. Bell smokes a full delivery through the covers for a boundary as England reach 118 for three after 60 overs.
14:57 Pietersen out for 6, England lose 3rd wkt
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England 2nd inns: 94-3 (56 ovs)
England reach 90 for two in 50 overs as after Ojha bowls the 100 maiden over of the match in a total of 341 overs.
Jadeja nearly strikes in the next over as Pietersen (2) tries to play the cut but Sehwag fails to hold on to the catch which hits him on the shoes. That was a very tough chance as the ball went very low and Sehwag could not get his hands down on time.
Jadeja and Ojha continue to bowl tight with four maiden overs on the trot from the 52nd to the 55th over.
Pietersen breaks the sequence of dot deliveries with a flicked boundary on the leg side. But Jadeja gets his man off the very next delivery as Pietersen offers no shot and is bowled for six.
The crowd are back to life now!
England 2nd inns: 94-3 (56 ovs)
England reach 90 for two in 50 overs as after Ojha bowls the 100 maiden over of the match in a total of 341 overs.
Jadeja nearly strikes in the next over as Pietersen (2) tries to play the cut but Sehwag fails to hold on to the catch which hits him on the shoes. That was a very tough chance as the ball went very low and Sehwag could not get his hands down on time.
Jadeja and Ojha continue to bowl tight with four maiden overs on the trot from the 52nd to the 55th over.
Pietersen breaks the sequence of dot deliveries with a flicked boundary on the leg side. But Jadeja gets his man off the very next delivery as Pietersen offers no shot and is bowled for six.
The crowd are back to life now!
14:45 England batsmen content to defend
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England 2nd inns: 88-2 (50 ovs)
Trott strokes Ojha down the ground for the first four of the over. Jadeja bowls to new batsman Kevin Pietersen who is struck on the pads twice as he charges down the wicket and looks to defend but strangely the bowler has appealed both times.
England 2nd inns: 88-2 (50 ovs)
Trott strokes Ojha down the ground for the first four of the over. Jadeja bowls to new batsman Kevin Pietersen who is struck on the pads twice as he charges down the wicket and looks to defend but strangely the bowler has appealed both times.
14:23
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England 2nd inns: 81-1 (45 ovs)
In the post lunch session, England scored 64 runs in 33.4 overs for the loss of two wickets.
Just to confirm Compton was given out LBW despite getting an inside edge and being caught at gully.
The umpiring in the series has been really poor. DRS must be made necessary for all Test matches atleast.
It looks difficult for India to force their way into the match and they gradually seem to be accepting a draw if their dull bowling is to be considered.
Sky Sports Cricket commentator and former England captain Nasser Hussain says there were "10 decisions in this series which were clearly wrong."
England 2nd inns: 81-1 (45 ovs)
In the post lunch session, England scored 64 runs in 33.4 overs for the loss of two wickets.
Just to confirm Compton was given out LBW despite getting an inside edge and being caught at gully.
The umpiring in the series has been really poor. DRS must be made necessary for all Test matches atleast.
It looks difficult for India to force their way into the match and they gradually seem to be accepting a draw if their dull bowling is to be considered.
Sky Sports Cricket commentator and former England captain Nasser Hussain says there were "10 decisions in this series which were clearly wrong."
14:14 Compton falls before tea, Eng lose 2nd wkt
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England 2nd inns: 81-2 (46.4 ovs)
Compton is dismissed leg before wicket off the final ball of the post lunch session as England end the session at the 81 for two in 46.4 overs for an overall lead of 85 runs.
Compton played patiently during his knock of 34 from 135 balls, hitting just one four.
Trott is batting on 22 from 54 balls, having hit three fours.
England 2nd inns: 81-2 (46.4 ovs)
Compton is dismissed leg before wicket off the final ball of the post lunch session as England end the session at the 81 for two in 46.4 overs for an overall lead of 85 runs.
Compton played patiently during his knock of 34 from 135 balls, hitting just one four.
Trott is batting on 22 from 54 balls, having hit three fours.
14:06 Slowly England inch towards draw
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England 2nd inns: 81-1 (45 ovs)
Two runs in the last five overs, including three maiden overs in a row, as the two left-arm spinners Ojha and Jadeja bowl in tandem.
The crowd are suddenly making some noise, trying to catch Dhoni's attention but inside the outfield nothing is happening.
One of the most disappointing Test matches of recent times.
England look set to play out whatever time they have on hand and inch towards a draw.
England 2nd inns: 81-1 (45 ovs)
Two runs in the last five overs, including three maiden overs in a row, as the two left-arm spinners Ojha and Jadeja bowl in tandem.
The crowd are suddenly making some noise, trying to catch Dhoni's attention but inside the outfield nothing is happening.
One of the most disappointing Test matches of recent times.
England look set to play out whatever time they have on hand and inch towards a draw.
13:55
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England 2nd inns: 80-1 (42 ovs)
The ball has slipped out of Jadeja's hand and trickled along on the floor wide on the leg side but Trott shows no mercy as he goes out of his crease and slaps the ball for a four through midwicket. Dhoni is smiling but some of the other Indians players like Ashwin and Kohli are having a go at Trott for that shot. And top it all it is called a no-ball.
Moment of the day...finally forced some people to watch the replays!
Geoffrey Boycott, on BBC Test Match Special, says: "He can't call dead ball on that because the bowler has completed his bowling action. Umpires only call dead ball if the ball flies out before the bowler's completed his action. So Trott was quite right to whack it."
Nothing much to write on the proceedings except that India trying to keep it tight, England looking to defend and stealing one or two runs in between to keep themselves awake.
England 2nd inns: 80-1 (42 ovs)
The ball has slipped out of Jadeja's hand and trickled along on the floor wide on the leg side but Trott shows no mercy as he goes out of his crease and slaps the ball for a four through midwicket. Dhoni is smiling but some of the other Indians players like Ashwin and Kohli are having a go at Trott for that shot. And top it all it is called a no-ball.
Moment of the day...finally forced some people to watch the replays!
Geoffrey Boycott, on BBC Test Match Special, says: "He can't call dead ball on that because the bowler has completed his bowling action. Umpires only call dead ball if the ball flies out before the bowler's completed his action. So Trott was quite right to whack it."
Nothing much to write on the proceedings except that India trying to keep it tight, England looking to defend and stealing one or two runs in between to keep themselves awake.
13:38 Cook fails but England in control
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England 2nd inns: 62-1 (36 ovs)
Cook has suffered two rare failures in a row but ends the series with a massive tally of 562 runs in eight innings at an average of 80.28 with three centuries.
Jonathan Trott starts off with a boundary as he sweeps Ashwin fine on the leg side past the short fine leg fielder.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja into the attack. The debutant was India's most successful bowler in the first innings, taking 4-69 and India will need another big effort from him here.
He starts with a maiden over resorting to what he calls as the "stump to stump" line. In his second over, which was again a maiden over, he had a huge shout for LBW turned down as the ball appeared to be sliding down the leg side.
England 2nd inns: 62-1 (36 ovs)
Cook has suffered two rare failures in a row but ends the series with a massive tally of 562 runs in eight innings at an average of 80.28 with three centuries.
Jonathan Trott starts off with a boundary as he sweeps Ashwin fine on the leg side past the short fine leg fielder.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja into the attack. The debutant was India's most successful bowler in the first innings, taking 4-69 and India will need another big effort from him here.
He starts with a maiden over resorting to what he calls as the "stump to stump" line. In his second over, which was again a maiden over, he had a huge shout for LBW turned down as the ball appeared to be sliding down the leg side.
13:14 Cook out for 13, England lose 1st wicket
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England 2nd inns: 48-1 (30 ovs)
India have managed to make the first breakthrough and it is the big wicket of Cook, who is caught behind for 13.
He was the crease for 93 balls, staying for 105 minutes, during his 48-run opening stand with Compton.
Hold on! Once again Cook gets a bad decision from umpire Kumara Dharmasena. The ball seems to have missed the edge clearly and Cook made his disappointment visible!
England 2nd inns: 48-1 (30 ovs)
India have managed to make the first breakthrough and it is the big wicket of Cook, who is caught behind for 13.
He was the crease for 93 balls, staying for 105 minutes, during his 48-run opening stand with Compton.
Hold on! Once again Cook gets a bad decision from umpire Kumara Dharmasena. The ball seems to have missed the edge clearly and Cook made his disappointment visible!
12:37 Dull England batting for a draw in Nagpur
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England 2nd inns: 24-0 (20 ovs)
Ashwin bowls the first over after the lunch break. Compton plays the first ball on the leg side for two runs but is quite content to defend the rest of the over.
Ishant to bowl from the Pavilion End. And Cook offers a straight bat defence to the first ball and does the same with the next ball as India start with maiden over, while Compton takes a single from Ashwin's next over for the first run of the session.
Ojha replaces Ishant, who bowled just one over after the lunch break. He makes a loud appeal for LBW against Compton, who is clearly struck way outside the off-stump. Why on earth did he appeal then?
Cook then drives it to long-on for one, for just his second run after 54 balls. He took 27 balls to get off the mark and another 27 to score his second drive.
Ojha is a bit excited as Compton gets a thick outside edge that beats the short thirdman fielder for one and Cook takes one on the leg side.
Another maiden over from Ashwin, his fourth in seven overs, as England crawl to 24 for no loss in 20 overs.
Interestingly, England have as many as 109 dot balls in 20 overs.
England 2nd inns: 24-0 (20 ovs)
Ashwin bowls the first over after the lunch break. Compton plays the first ball on the leg side for two runs but is quite content to defend the rest of the over.
Ishant to bowl from the Pavilion End. And Cook offers a straight bat defence to the first ball and does the same with the next ball as India start with maiden over, while Compton takes a single from Ashwin's next over for the first run of the session.
Ojha replaces Ishant, who bowled just one over after the lunch break. He makes a loud appeal for LBW against Compton, who is clearly struck way outside the off-stump. Why on earth did he appeal then?
Cook then drives it to long-on for one, for just his second run after 54 balls. He took 27 balls to get off the mark and another 27 to score his second drive.
Ojha is a bit excited as Compton gets a thick outside edge that beats the short thirdman fielder for one and Cook takes one on the leg side.
Another maiden over from Ashwin, his fourth in seven overs, as England crawl to 24 for no loss in 20 overs.
Interestingly, England have as many as 109 dot balls in 20 overs.
12:09 Dull batting display continues in Nagpur
A gem from OptaJim on Twitter on the dreary state of affairs in Nagpur.
"The current Nagpur match run rate of 2.22 RPO is the lowest of Tests played in the last 10 years to contain at least 500 runs. Dod," they write.
Harsha Bhogle writes: "it promises to be a dour afternoon. challenge for broadcasters. stay tuned!"
"england will have to be careful not to get consumed by the idea of merely hanging in. need to score a few runs too."
"The current Nagpur match run rate of 2.22 RPO is the lowest of Tests played in the last 10 years to contain at least 500 runs. Dod," they write.
Harsha Bhogle writes: "it promises to be a dour afternoon. challenge for broadcasters. stay tuned!"
"england will have to be careful not to get consumed by the idea of merely hanging in. need to score a few runs too."
11:39 England crawl to 17-0 at lunch on Day 4
- Scorecard
England 2nd inns: 17-0 (13 ovs)
One of the most dull and boring sessions in Test cricket as a total of 46 runs were scored in 25.5 overs. There was only one boundary in the session and that too came off an edge when Compton tried to drive Ashwin.
England crawled to 17 for no loss in 13 overs at the lunch break on Day 4.
Cook managed just a single from 46 balls, while Compton made 14 from 33 balls.
Today being a Sunday, there is a decent crowd inside the stadium but they must have all fallen to sleep now.
If you have just tuned-in, you haven't missed much! It seems India looked consigned to the idea of the match slowly heading towards a dull and dreary draw, making no real effort to attack or take wickets.
Ojha bowling with just a leg slip. Compton brings about a sea of fresh air as he clips Ojha on the leg side for two runs before a single to the covers.
For a change Ashwin, bowling round the wicket, bowls a slow flighted delivery that Compton tries to drive but gets an edge and it flies past the first slip fielder for a four, the first boundary of the England innings and also the first of the day.
So a boundary finally on Day 4, after a long wait of 25 overs.
England 2nd inns: 17-0 (13 ovs)
One of the most dull and boring sessions in Test cricket as a total of 46 runs were scored in 25.5 overs. There was only one boundary in the session and that too came off an edge when Compton tried to drive Ashwin.
England crawled to 17 for no loss in 13 overs at the lunch break on Day 4.
Cook managed just a single from 46 balls, while Compton made 14 from 33 balls.
Today being a Sunday, there is a decent crowd inside the stadium but they must have all fallen to sleep now.
If you have just tuned-in, you haven't missed much! It seems India looked consigned to the idea of the match slowly heading towards a dull and dreary draw, making no real effort to attack or take wickets.
Ojha bowling with just a leg slip. Compton brings about a sea of fresh air as he clips Ojha on the leg side for two runs before a single to the covers.
For a change Ashwin, bowling round the wicket, bowls a slow flighted delivery that Compton tries to drive but gets an edge and it flies past the first slip fielder for a four, the first boundary of the England innings and also the first of the day.
So a boundary finally on Day 4, after a long wait of 25 overs.
11:15 England off to a slow start in 2nd innings
- Scorecard
England 2nd inns: 8-0 (8 ovs)
Compton clips Sharma through midwicket for three runs and the pacer also oversteps the crease to give away a no-ball. Cook again plays out five dot balls to end the over. He is yet to get off the mark in 22 overs, he was out for one from 28 balls in the first innings which means he has just made one runs from 50 balls in this match so far.
Compton is also solid in defence and watchfully defends against Ojha for another maiden over.
Ojha's figures read three runs in three overs with two maidens, while Ishant has given four runs in three overs with the same number of maiden overs.
Cook off the mark with a single to the covers off Ishant, his first run after facing 27 deliveries.
Ashwin into the attack now. He starts with a short ball that Cook cuts straight to the point region and defends the rest of the over.
England are content to play out time as their total crawls to eight for no loss in eight overs. Cook is on 1 from 33 balls and Compton on six from 16 balls.
England 2nd inns: 8-0 (8 ovs)
Compton clips Sharma through midwicket for three runs and the pacer also oversteps the crease to give away a no-ball. Cook again plays out five dot balls to end the over. He is yet to get off the mark in 22 overs, he was out for one from 28 balls in the first innings which means he has just made one runs from 50 balls in this match so far.
Compton is also solid in defence and watchfully defends against Ojha for another maiden over.
Ojha's figures read three runs in three overs with two maidens, while Ishant has given four runs in three overs with the same number of maiden overs.
Cook off the mark with a single to the covers off Ishant, his first run after facing 27 deliveries.
Ashwin into the attack now. He starts with a short ball that Cook cuts straight to the point region and defends the rest of the over.
England are content to play out time as their total crawls to eight for no loss in eight overs. Cook is on 1 from 33 balls and Compton on six from 16 balls.
10:57 England start cautiously, India 326-9 dec
- Scorecard
England 2nd inns: 3-0 (4 ovs)
India have a slip in place and a short midwicket being the other close-in catching fielder but they also have thirdman, fine leg and deep square leg on the boundary for Compton. Ishant beat Compton with the second delivery as the ball held it's line and went past the outside edge but he cautiously sees off the rest of the over.
Cook is in no hurry either and not without reason. Ojha finishes an over in no time as he bowls a maiden to Cook as England are three for no loss in four overs.
England 2nd inns: 3-0 (4 ovs)
India have a slip in place and a short midwicket being the other close-in catching fielder but they also have thirdman, fine leg and deep square leg on the boundary for Compton. Ishant beat Compton with the second delivery as the ball held it's line and went past the outside edge but he cautiously sees off the rest of the over.
Cook is in no hurry either and not without reason. Ojha finishes an over in no time as he bowls a maiden to Cook as England are three for no loss in four overs.
10:49
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England 2nd inns: 3-0 (2 ovs)
Ishant Sharma to bowl the first over from the Pavilion End and facing him will be the in-form Alastair Cook, who got a bad decision in the first innings.
England start with a slender lead of four runs. Ishant starts with a maiden over to Cook.
Ojha to bowl the second over. Compton plays the second ball to the leg side for three runs before Cook continues to play with caution.
Interestingly, just a leg slip in place for Cook and three men on the leg side boundary.
India still not ready to attack. Wonder why?
England 2nd inns: 3-0 (2 ovs)
Ishant Sharma to bowl the first over from the Pavilion End and facing him will be the in-form Alastair Cook, who got a bad decision in the first innings.
England start with a slender lead of four runs. Ishant starts with a maiden over to Cook.
Ojha to bowl the second over. Compton plays the second ball to the leg side for three runs before Cook continues to play with caution.
Interestingly, just a leg slip in place for Cook and three men on the leg side boundary.
India still not ready to attack. Wonder why?
10:37
- Scorecard
India 326-9 declared (143 ovs) vs England 330
Bizzare tactics from India on Day 4. They batted for an hour in the morning session scoring 29 runs in 12.5 overs while losing one wicket.
The highest scoring shot for India was two runs as they rarely attempted to attack or play the big shots.
Ashwin finished unbeaten on 29 from 65 balls, having batted for 91 minutes, while Ishant made two from seven balls.
England will just need to bat as long as possible to ensure their first series victory in India in 27 years.
India 326-9 declared (143 ovs) vs England 330
Bizzare tactics from India on Day 4. They batted for an hour in the morning session scoring 29 runs in 12.5 overs while losing one wicket.
The highest scoring shot for India was two runs as they rarely attempted to attack or play the big shots.
Ashwin finished unbeaten on 29 from 65 balls, having batted for 91 minutes, while Ishant made two from seven balls.
England will just need to bat as long as possible to ensure their first series victory in India in 27 years.
10:37 India declare on 326-9 after slow batting
- Scorecard
India 326-9 declared (143 ovs) vs England 330
Ojha plays it back on to his stumps and still no signs of a declaration as Ishant Sharma walks out to the middle. For the first time in the
day, England have an attacking fielder with everyone inside the circle and two close catching men for the new batsman.
Ishant defends the first three balls before taking a single from the fourth and Ashwin plays it down the ground for another one.
Anderson bowling from round the wicket starts with two good yorkers to Ashwin who can only dig it out on the leg side. He gets a single from
the fourth ball and Sharma defends the last two balls.
Ashwin has decided to cut loose. He steps out to Panesar and tries to hit him over midwicket but fails to get enough and then refuses a single
to deep midwicket. He mishits the next ball to long-off and gets two runs before a sweep behind square on the leg side gets him another couple.
He reverse sweeps the next ball and again refuses a single to the thirdman fielder inside the circle but takes one from the last ball with a
sweep to end the over.
Ishant takes a single from the last ball before India declare their first innings on 326 for nine in 143 overs still four runs behind England's score.
India 326-9 declared (143 ovs) vs England 330
Ojha plays it back on to his stumps and still no signs of a declaration as Ishant Sharma walks out to the middle. For the first time in the
day, England have an attacking fielder with everyone inside the circle and two close catching men for the new batsman.
Ishant defends the first three balls before taking a single from the fourth and Ashwin plays it down the ground for another one.
Anderson bowling from round the wicket starts with two good yorkers to Ashwin who can only dig it out on the leg side. He gets a single from
the fourth ball and Sharma defends the last two balls.
Ashwin has decided to cut loose. He steps out to Panesar and tries to hit him over midwicket but fails to get enough and then refuses a single
to deep midwicket. He mishits the next ball to long-off and gets two runs before a sweep behind square on the leg side gets him another couple.
He reverse sweeps the next ball and again refuses a single to the thirdman fielder inside the circle but takes one from the last ball with a
sweep to end the over.
Ishant takes a single from the last ball before India declare their first innings on 326 for nine in 143 overs still four runs behind England's score.
10:20 Ojha out for 3 as India lose 9th wicket
- Scorecard
India 317-9 (140.1 ovs) vs England 330
India wasting precious time in the Test match. They are the team that needs a win but right now doing nothing to work towards it. England are happy to sit back and enjoy India make it easy for them.
Ashwin clips Panesar to deep square leg region and comes back for two runs before chipping the third ball down towards long-on for one and Ojha blocks the next two balls to end the over.
Ashwin picks up another easy single from Monty's first ball before Ojha defends the remaining five deliveries. Feels like we are watching the match in loop as Ashwin drives Anderson to long-off for one and Ojha takes a single from the fourth ball and Ashwin does the same off the next.
Anderson beats Ashwin off the first ball before the right-hander gets one down the ground followed by three more singles in the over. Ashwin and Ojha exchange a few words over running between the wicket and Ashwin is clearly unhappy with his partner.
Not long before Ojha's painful knock of three runs from 32 balls ends as he drags a delivery from Panesar back on to his stumps.
India 317-9 (140.1 ovs) vs England 330
India wasting precious time in the Test match. They are the team that needs a win but right now doing nothing to work towards it. England are happy to sit back and enjoy India make it easy for them.
Ashwin clips Panesar to deep square leg region and comes back for two runs before chipping the third ball down towards long-on for one and Ojha blocks the next two balls to end the over.
Ashwin picks up another easy single from Monty's first ball before Ojha defends the remaining five deliveries. Feels like we are watching the match in loop as Ashwin drives Anderson to long-off for one and Ojha takes a single from the fourth ball and Ashwin does the same off the next.
Anderson beats Ashwin off the first ball before the right-hander gets one down the ground followed by three more singles in the over. Ashwin and Ojha exchange a few words over running between the wicket and Ashwin is clearly unhappy with his partner.
Not long before Ojha's painful knock of three runs from 32 balls ends as he drags a delivery from Panesar back on to his stumps.
10:00
Strange tactics from both teams. After the first three days produced boring cricket when both the teams scored at just over two runs per over, this is getting even more painful for everyone. Neither team wanting to take the initiative and just being defensive.
Ayaz Memom says India need to force the issue if they are looking to win this match. "England happy with draw. Will look for risk-free approach. India have to make the moves to win. Not much evidence of any strong tactic yet," he writes on Twitter.
Jonathan Agnew is also unhappy with England for going so defensive. "Ghastly 20 mins...not sure what either team is doing. England's defensive mindset is dangerous. India need to be positive."
Ayaz Memom says India need to force the issue if they are looking to win this match. "England happy with draw. Will look for risk-free approach. India have to make the moves to win. Not much evidence of any strong tactic yet," he writes on Twitter.
Jonathan Agnew is also unhappy with England for going so defensive. "Ghastly 20 mins...not sure what either team is doing. England's defensive mindset is dangerous. India need to be positive."
09:59
- Scorecard
India 306-8 (136 ovs) vs England 330
Just three runs in 19 minutes as the 12th man Ashok Dinda comes on with a bottle of water and possibly a message for the two batsmen to get on with it.
Ashwin looks to get on with as he chips Panesar down the ground but can only get a single to long-off and Ojha carries on with his task of defending everything.
Ashwin clips Anderson on the leg side and again takes a single from the first ball and Ojha does the same off the next ball to get off the mark after 15 balls and break the sequence of one run overs. Ashwin drives it down to long-off for one and Ojha turns it round to fine leg for another single before his partner gets another single to get five runs from that over.
India can't be serious about their tactics so far! They are the team who are in the need of a win here to level the series but so far they have not looked keen to get on with it.
India 306-8 (136 ovs) vs England 330
Just three runs in 19 minutes as the 12th man Ashok Dinda comes on with a bottle of water and possibly a message for the two batsmen to get on with it.
Ashwin looks to get on with as he chips Panesar down the ground but can only get a single to long-off and Ojha carries on with his task of defending everything.
Ashwin clips Anderson on the leg side and again takes a single from the first ball and Ojha does the same off the next ball to get off the mark after 15 balls and break the sequence of one run overs. Ashwin drives it down to long-off for one and Ojha turns it round to fine leg for another single before his partner gets another single to get five runs from that over.
India can't be serious about their tactics so far! They are the team who are in the need of a win here to level the series but so far they have not looked keen to get on with it.
09:50 India struggle to get going on Day 4
- Scorecard
India 300-8 (134 ovs) vs England 330
Swann completes his over, bowling the remaining five deliveries of his over after he had taken a wicket off the first delivery of his 31st over which also proved to be the last ball of Day 3. Ojha plays out the over safely, blocking everything thrown at him.,
James Anderson takes over from the Pavilion End. England are doing it smartly out there with just one fielder inside the circle, at short midwicket, to Ashwin. He refuses the single from the first four balls of that over before taking a single from the fifth ball and Ojha promptly defends the last ball on the off-side.
Panesar comes on from the other end, to replace Swann. England have just a slip in place and two fielders inside the circle. Ashwin again takes a single from the fifth ball, driving it down to long-on.
The script repeats in Anderson's next over as Ashwin takes on from the fourth ball. India have scored just three runs from 3.5 overs since the start of Day 4.
India are 300-8 after 134 overs with Ashwin on 10 from 41 balls and Ojha yet to score from nine balls.
India 300-8 (134 ovs) vs England 330
Swann completes his over, bowling the remaining five deliveries of his over after he had taken a wicket off the first delivery of his 31st over which also proved to be the last ball of Day 3. Ojha plays out the over safely, blocking everything thrown at him.,
James Anderson takes over from the Pavilion End. England are doing it smartly out there with just one fielder inside the circle, at short midwicket, to Ashwin. He refuses the single from the first four balls of that over before taking a single from the fifth ball and Ojha promptly defends the last ball on the off-side.
Panesar comes on from the other end, to replace Swann. England have just a slip in place and two fielders inside the circle. Ashwin again takes a single from the fifth ball, driving it down to long-on.
The script repeats in Anderson's next over as Ashwin takes on from the fourth ball. India have scored just three runs from 3.5 overs since the start of Day 4.
India are 300-8 after 134 overs with Ashwin on 10 from 41 balls and Ojha yet to score from nine balls.
09:20
Meanwhile, VVS Laxman, who recently retired from international cricket, has joined with former team-mate Anil Kumble and has been named an icon in Tenvic, a Bangalore based sports consulting firm started by the former leg-spinner.
"He (Laxman) is an icon player for us. Prakash Padukone (badminton), Sharath Kamal (table tennis) are our other icon players," Anil's brother Dinesh was quoted as saying by the Sunday Guardian.
Click to read more
"He (Laxman) is an icon player for us. Prakash Padukone (badminton), Sharath Kamal (table tennis) are our other icon players," Anil's brother Dinesh was quoted as saying by the Sunday Guardian.
Click to read more
09:18 India eye lead, England look for quick wkts
- Scorecard
India 297-8 (130.1 ovs) vs England 330
India will hope the in-form R Ashwin can score some runs and take them past England's first innings total of 330. They are 297 for eight and trail the visitors by 33 runs, with just two wickets in hand.
England will be looking to polish off the Indian tail early and then bat India out of the match.
It will be interesting to see if the pitch continues to remain slow and dead or offers something for the spinners on Day 4 and Day 5.
India 297-8 (130.1 ovs) vs England 330
India will hope the in-form R Ashwin can score some runs and take them past England's first innings total of 330. They are 297 for eight and trail the visitors by 33 runs, with just two wickets in hand.
England will be looking to polish off the Indian tail early and then bat India out of the match.
It will be interesting to see if the pitch continues to remain slow and dead or offers something for the spinners on Day 4 and Day 5.
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