Reflections on Day 3 of Second Test

Various sports writers had assured us that this test was sleepwalking into a draw. However, it burst into life on the third day as two opposing players set two impressive individual milestones. Captain Flintoff, on his way to his side's top score of 70, hit his 68th test match six, overhauling Botham's record tally of 67 and whilst the commentators were lamenting the technological improvements in today's bats, Anil Kumble inspired an England batting collapse by taking three wickets in four balls and becoming only the fifth bowler to take over 500 test wickets. England's promising 288-6 at tea became a disappointing 300 all out.

The fun did not finish there. I have often thought that danger money should be paid to those who stand at short-leg and the aggressively entertaining Yuvraj Sing underlined this point as he pulled a short delivery from Panesar straight into the back of Ian Bell's helmeted head. Unfortunately for England, the Brian Close method of dismissing batsmen by heading the ball into the slips was poorly executed and the ball bounced safely into the outfield. I am perhaps being a little unfair on Bell here, who, according to the latest technology, only had 0.12 seconds to get himself into the right position. With traditional Closian grit, Bell gave a brief shake of the head, put his helmet back on and prepared for the next delivery. In a delightful twist, Bell took a stunning one handed catch, to dismiss Yuvraj Sing off the bowling of Hoggard, a few overs later.

India will resume tomorrow at 149-4 and so the game is delicately poised, with a draw still the most likely outcome. However, with an extra half hour scheduled for the next two days anything can happen.