Buttler hits half-century to keep England afloat

August 21, 2018 19:50

Eng 158-4 (56 ovs); Target to win: 521 | Scorecard

Stokes taking a few chances, as he plays a risky slog sweep against Ashwin, for a boundary through midwicket.

He turns the last ball through the leg side for a couple.

Nothing much happening for the bowlers as Buttler and Stokes are batting relatively trouble free except for an odd chance or two in between.

Buttler plays another nice cover drive but Rahane does well with the dive to keep it down to just one.

In the next over, Buttler times his cover drive to perfection off Ashwin for a four to close in on his half-century. He looks to make room and again punch through the off-side but Ashwin gets more turn this time to take the inside half of the bat.

With the conditions having eased out, India's bowlers are being made to work hard for their wickets.

Stokes batting a bit more freely now. A tired-looking Bumrah dishes out a wide half-tracker which Stokes slashes behind point for a four. He puts in more effort into the next ball, getting it to bounce more and strike Stokes on the gloves, who was looking to defend.

Buttler is struck on the pads off the last ball as he tries to flick a full delivery but misses. The LBW appeal is turned down and the Indians decide against the review.

But they take the DRS review in the next over after Ashwin hits Stokes on the pads. The umpire turns down the appeal before Kohli decides to take the review. And it turns out to be a close shave for Stokes, as the ball is just clipping the outside of the leg stump, which means it stays with the umpire's call.

Buttler continues to pepper the cover boundary as he produces another glorious drive for a four to bring up his fifty in some style, from 93 balls.

Buttler goes for the drive off the last ball and gets a thick outside edge but it flies through the vacant third slip region for a four. Poor decision from Bumrah to remove the third slip region and keep a man on the drive on the off-side.

England continue to battle to reach 158 for four in 56 overs, still needing another 363 runs for victory.

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