England v India, 5th Test: Deja Moo at The Oval

MS Dhoni

Only real optimists are hoping to use their tickets to the fourth day of the Oval Test. No surprise that the tickets are available easily, with a family deal discounted by £60 pounds, by stumps on day one.

On an unlikely Oval green-top, sporting live damp grass, Alastair Cook won the toss and put the Indians in. With the rain the previous week, the previous night and then some in the morning, the conditions couldn't have been more testing. The square resembled a village green ready for a Saturday fixture of the local league early in the season. 

England retained an unchanged side, walked in confidently, knowing they had a real chance to push India into a corner early. India replaced the flamboyant but ineffective Ravindra Jadeja with Stuart Binny, insisting on a five bowler attack (read: four-and-half). The hapless Pankaj Singh made way for the hero of the Lord's Test, Ishant Sharma, back from an injury-forced break of two Tests. 

The Indian top half had to come good, show some skills and determination, to deal with the ferocious English attack in testing conditions. To stay in the game and the series, a first innings total of 300 was mandatory. 

But, like the two innings at Old Trafford, the Indian batsmen disappointed again. It was total deja moo.....seen this bull before. 

Deja Moo

Personal struggles with form, in seaming conditions, against a relentless attack were a bit too much to cope with. The conditions were tough, no doubt, requiring a bit of luck and a lot of pluck to play a meaningful innings. Only MS Dhoni stood up to the test, again. Murali Vijay, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma survived for short spells, but all the efforts accounted for only 148 first innings runs, all done and dusted soon after the tea session. 

There doesn't seem to be a way back into the match for India, not after the unbroken opening partnership of Alastair Cook and Sam Robson, finishing the first day for England at 62 without damage. The writing is on the wall. The only matter of interest that remains is whether this contest will go into a fourth day. 

The story of the Indian innings was familiar one, albeit the details may have differed a bit. 

Gambhir was gone for a first ball duck to Anderson, looking to shoulder arms, but not quick enough to get out of the way of a leaping delivery. As Geoff Boycott suggested, "he lost it, has still not found it". Anderson was not on a consistently good length, but quite unplayable with big outswingers at pace. Cheteshwar Pujara was proxy opener again, looking uncertain: for a second time in the series, prodded forward leaving the gate open for one from Stuart Broad that jagged back. 

Kohli had much on his mind, working hard at being selective about what to play at, ended up leaving one from Chris Jordan that came back more than he expected. Ajinkya Rahane, who had looked good until Old Trafford, pushed one tentatively back to Jordan, as it seemed to stick in the pitch a bit. India 28-4, in big trouble already.

Vijay showed some grit and good technique, as in his previous innings of the series. But his brief vigil ended with a brilliant catch from Root in the slips, off Jordan. Root staying low grasped it on the second attempt. At lunch India were 43-5, with England giving nothing away in the field, and latching onto every chance that came their way. 

Conditions did not improve for batting after the lunch session, with heavy overhead and the ball retaining much of its shine. Soon, Binny was gone to a classic outswinger from Anderson. Ashwin looked more comfortable than his mates, showing better technique than his more illustrious colleagues. Root brought off another brilliant catch pressing forward to a low catch in the slips to send Ashwin back. Bhuvi, who has run out of luck in the series, flashed at a wide from Jordan getting caught behind off the bottom edge. Aaron was given a bit of his own medicine, spooned an easy one to short-leg off a rising delivery. India 9 down for 90. 

Dhoni continued his lone battle meanwhile from one end. Ishant got a reprieve, a rare drop by Ian Bell in the slips, which was all the impetus Dhoni needed to accelerate. By tea, India scrapped to 125-9. After tea, the last wicket partnership pushed past 50. Finally, Dhoni himself fell to the bouncer trap, caught off Broad, while Ishant remained not out after facing 42 deliveries. The Indian innings wrapped up for a paltry 148, with Dhoni contributing 82 of those. 

England press home the advantage

The heavy roller was sought by England, and the pitch had aired enough to lose the surface moisture. It looked more even paced and easier as Cook started out tentatively. He was plumb in front to Bhuvi, but Paul Reiffel thought otherwise. The absence of DRS hurt India, and not for the first time in the series, adding to their woes. 

The conspiracy was complete. 

At stumps on day one, England got to 62 without losing a wicket, looking in a great position to wrap up this series with a 3-1 margin. The weather forecast ahead looking favourable, particularly for Saturday, suitable for England to pile on the runs. The pitch seems to ease out with the sun shining and the green top going brown. India's only remaining hope was a magic spell from Ishant or Aaron early on the second morning. However, that was not to be.

As things stand now, in the middle of day two, England have gone well past the Indian total and, at the point of writing this, are comfortably in the driving seat at 192 for 1. Cook missing out on the three figure mark, despite a thick slice of luck but gaining in form and confidence with every innings since the Lord’s Test. A lead of 250 looks imminent, and only a brave effort in the second innings from the Indian top order can take this game into day four.