Single Decent Swipe to Change History

Most Dramatic Conclusion in Modern Test History

For much of the 56 minutes it took for India to claim the final four England wickets on the fifth day at the Oval the action seemed to transcend sport. The atmosphere created by a capacity, 25,000 strong crowd ranged from delirium to deathly silent, in a matter of seconds.

England began the day requiring 35 runs to win with four wickets remaining, one of them belonging to all rounder Chris Woakes whose dislocated left shoulder was immobilised in a sling. He would bat, we were told, using just his right hand. He was undecided whether it would require adopting a right handed or left-handed stance.

Play began under thunder-grey skies with a light drizzle in the air. The first two balls of the day were pulled and inside-edged to the boundary. The heroic Mohammad Siraj, who played in all five Tests bowling more overs and claiming more wickets than anyone else, had the last recognised batsman, wicket keeper Jamie Smith, caught behind with 27 required.

Siraj and his young understudy, Prasidh Krishna, struck twice more with the floodlights brightening the gloom but not England’s mood or nerves. The crowd fell silent again until Woakes belatedly appeared at the top of the pavilion steps, arm strapped to his chest beneath a sleeveless sweater. There were still 27 runs required.

Gus Atkinson slog-swept Siraj for a six over long on to reduce the target to 11. Indian captain, Shubman Gill, who scored four centuries and over 700 runs in the series, faced a potentially series-deciding decision. Keep fielders on the boundary to dissuade Atkinson from attempting to hit another four or six, or bring the field in to deny him a single and bowl at the crippled Woakes.

He opted to protect the boundary and Atkinson refused the singles to protect his one-armed partner. Siraj found the perfect yorker to finish the match and clinch India’s narrowest ever victory, by just six runs.

Five Test matches all stretching to the fifth day, 25 days and 73 sessions of cricket and it came down to six runs. A scoreline of 2-2 was an accurate reflection of the competition and the similarity in standard between the teams. For all England’s feigned disinterest in the World Test Championship, they really do want to qualify for a final. So do India. The added extra ‘edge’ made a dramatic finale all the keener.

The often fabled and understandably ridiculed ‘spirit of cricket’ was much in evidence in the moments afterwards. Few players were content with the traditional handshake. It was a time for hugs and embraces. They’ll still cuss and swear at each other during the next series, but now was a time to decompress and contemplate a very long lie-down away from the game.

It has always felt inconceivable after the New Year Test in 2008/09 when Graeme Smith batted at number 11 with a broken hand to save the third Test for South Africa at the SCG that I would witness similar drama. Yet this surpassed it. This series was alive, unlike South Africa’s unassailable 2-0 lead – there was a lot more than pride at stake this time.

Five Test matches, 25 days and 73 sessions and it came down to six runs. A single, decent swipe could have changed history. Honestly, why do we bother with matches which span the entirety of an average working week? We could just stick with the 3-hour version.

It’ll be a relief to cover some of that in Darwin in four days’ time when Australia host South Africa. Some milk after the vindaloo. Look forward to sharing the experience with you. And, if you’re up for it, a coffee would be lovely, thank you. 😊