Event of the Day: England versus India
Our event of the day is the 1st day of the 4th Test between England and India at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. England currently lead the series 2-1 after a tightly fought victory at Edgbaston and a dominant display at Lord's. However, India clawed themselves back into the series as they dismantled England in the Third Test at Trent Bridge. A breath-taking first innings bowling display from the tourists saw England all out for just 161. Hardik Pandya was in devastating form, taking five wickets for 28 runs. A strong batting performance in the second innings, with captain Virat Kohli shining once again with a century, left England chasing a huge target. The hosts went on to lose by 203 runs.
Despite the disappointing defeat, England can take heart from the performance of Jos Buttler. The Lancashire batter hit his first test century for his country. His partnership with Ben Stokes, which saw them score 169, was a rare positive in an otherwise below par showing. Jonny Bairstow makes the team today, despite nursing a broken finger, Butler replaces him as wicketkeeper however. Sam Curran and Moeen Ali both come in for the injured Chris Woakes and for Ollie Pope. Ali will bat at seven in the latest reshuffle in an attempt to answer England’s batting issues. These are the only two changes to the side that slipped to defeat in Nottingham. Although England fans will have been bitterly disappointed not to wrap up the series at Trent Bridge, India’s thumping victory certainly makes it more entertaining for the neutral. With England now holding a slender series lead, but the momentum firmly in India’s favour, it could not be more interesting.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the penultimate Diamond League meeting of the season in Zürich. Dina Asher-Smith will look to finish a fabulous year on a high, as she goes against the impressive Dafne Schippers in the 100 metres. There are also finals in the men’s 200 metres and long jump and women’s high jump. Elsewhere in Europe, riders will clock up 155.7 kilometres on stage 6 of the Vuelta a España, as they go from Huércal Overa to San Javier. The European Tour stops off in Silkeborg with the first day of Made in Denmark. The LPGA Tour tees off in Portland, with day one of the Cambia Portland Classic. Further sporting action in the States can be found in New York, where the US Open continues at the world-famous Flushing Meadows. Second play third in the American League West division, as the Oakland Athletics host the Seattle Mariners in the first match of a four game MLB series. Football action comes from Celtic Park, where Celtic’s Europa League playoff against Suduva is finely poised at 1-1. Elsewhere in the UK, day two of the County Championship fixture between table topping Surrey and third place Nottingham gets underway. Meanwhile in Indonesia, day twelve of the Asian Games will feature more world class multi-sport action. The South Sydney Rabbitohs aim to close the gap at the top of the NRL ladder, as they face the Wests Tigers at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by ECB Cricket