Queues, wafts and howlers
Plays of the Day from fifth day of the first Test between England and India at Lord's
Andrew McGlashan at Lord's
25-Jul-2011
Rahul Dravid played a horrid, uncharacteristic shot to get out to James Anderson • AFP
Queue of the day
Fans were outside the ground from 2am and tickets were sold out well before play started. Many were left disappointed as the 'house full' signs went up and announcements were made over Twitter telling people to turn around before getting to St John's Wood. It was the largest final-day crowd at Lord's in modern times. "As we drove here the lads were commenting on the number of people outside," Kevin Pietersen said after the match. "For us as players it's magnificent that the public thinks it's such a big series." The photos and TV pictures of the queues snaking around Lord's brought back memories of Old Trafford during the 2005 Ashes when it was a final-day sell-out. The cricket was just as intense, too.
Fans were outside the ground from 2am and tickets were sold out well before play started. Many were left disappointed as the 'house full' signs went up and announcements were made over Twitter telling people to turn around before getting to St John's Wood. It was the largest final-day crowd at Lord's in modern times. "As we drove here the lads were commenting on the number of people outside," Kevin Pietersen said after the match. "For us as players it's magnificent that the public thinks it's such a big series." The photos and TV pictures of the queues snaking around Lord's brought back memories of Old Trafford during the 2005 Ashes when it was a final-day sell-out. The cricket was just as intense, too.
Waft of the day
England wanted an early wicket but when two chances went begging - an edge through the vacant third slip area and a tough catch to Ian Bell at short leg - it appeared that it was going to be a frustrating morning. Then, out of nowhere, Rahul Dravid played his worst shot of the match as he fished away from his body at James Anderson and was furious with himself as he swished his bat a second time in anger. As with Sachin Tendulkar on the third day, though, Dravid's departure owed much to the pressure built up by Chris Tremlett from the Pavilion End and this time it was Anderson who took advantage.
England wanted an early wicket but when two chances went begging - an edge through the vacant third slip area and a tough catch to Ian Bell at short leg - it appeared that it was going to be a frustrating morning. Then, out of nowhere, Rahul Dravid played his worst shot of the match as he fished away from his body at James Anderson and was furious with himself as he swished his bat a second time in anger. As with Sachin Tendulkar on the third day, though, Dravid's departure owed much to the pressure built up by Chris Tremlett from the Pavilion End and this time it was Anderson who took advantage.
(Lack of) DRS moment of the day I
The umpiring in this match has, for the most part, been outstanding with Asad Rauf having a perfect game. The tight on-field decisions had all been called correctly until, that is, Stuart Broad had a huge lbw shout against Tendulkar. He implored Billy Bowden to raise his finger but it didn't budge. The one full-time replay on the big screen didn't give a clear picture, but the full set on TV did with the ball hitting middle stump a few inches from the top. It would have been reversed if DRS had been in use and Broad soon got a signal from the dressing room.
The umpiring in this match has, for the most part, been outstanding with Asad Rauf having a perfect game. The tight on-field decisions had all been called correctly until, that is, Stuart Broad had a huge lbw shout against Tendulkar. He implored Billy Bowden to raise his finger but it didn't budge. The one full-time replay on the big screen didn't give a clear picture, but the full set on TV did with the ball hitting middle stump a few inches from the top. It would have been reversed if DRS had been in use and Broad soon got a signal from the dressing room.
(Lack of) DRS moment of the day II
It's possible to argue, though, that Tendulkar's decision wasn't the complete howler DRS was made for - it was towards the top of the stumps. The same can't be said of the appeal against Suresh Raina on 63 when he played back to a ball from Broad - who, the delivery before, had seen a catch put down at point - that didn't bounce much and was struck below the knee roll. Broad almost made his mistake of not turning around and when he did Bowden's finger was still down. Broad ended up on his haunches around a good length and Bowden's brief explanation didn't placate him much, either.
It's possible to argue, though, that Tendulkar's decision wasn't the complete howler DRS was made for - it was towards the top of the stumps. The same can't be said of the appeal against Suresh Raina on 63 when he played back to a ball from Broad - who, the delivery before, had seen a catch put down at point - that didn't bounce much and was struck below the knee roll. Broad almost made his mistake of not turning around and when he did Bowden's finger was still down. Broad ended up on his haunches around a good length and Bowden's brief explanation didn't placate him much, either.
Thankful fielder of the day
Andrew Strauss didn't have a good game at first slip and he's owes his bowlers for not making it even more costly. In the first innings it was a dolly from VVS Laxman and second time around he did what no fielder wants to do - drop Tendulkar. Anderson was in the middle of an outstanding spell and Tendulkar went to leave a delivery but was late pulling the bat away. He almost guided a catch towards Strauss - a tougher chance than the first innings offering, but the England captain spilled it as he dived to his right. However, two balls later it was all forgotten as Anderson swung one back in to Tendulkar's pads and this time Bowden raised his finger. In the midst of the celebrations, Anderson had drawn level as the most successful pace bowler against Tendulkar with his sixth dismissal of him.
Andrew Strauss didn't have a good game at first slip and he's owes his bowlers for not making it even more costly. In the first innings it was a dolly from VVS Laxman and second time around he did what no fielder wants to do - drop Tendulkar. Anderson was in the middle of an outstanding spell and Tendulkar went to leave a delivery but was late pulling the bat away. He almost guided a catch towards Strauss - a tougher chance than the first innings offering, but the England captain spilled it as he dived to his right. However, two balls later it was all forgotten as Anderson swung one back in to Tendulkar's pads and this time Bowden raised his finger. In the midst of the celebrations, Anderson had drawn level as the most successful pace bowler against Tendulkar with his sixth dismissal of him.
Non match-saving innings of the day
Harbhajan Singh was always unlikely to block it for three hours, but his innings won't have gone down well in India. An on-the-up drive off Tremlett showed his mindset, however he did prove he had restraint with a few well-judged leaves outside off. An implosion, though, was always around the corner especially with England chirping in his ear. Having been spilled by Eoin Morgan he went for an ugly pull against Anderson and spliced a simple catch to mid-on
Harbhajan Singh was always unlikely to block it for three hours, but his innings won't have gone down well in India. An on-the-up drive off Tremlett showed his mindset, however he did prove he had restraint with a few well-judged leaves outside off. An implosion, though, was always around the corner especially with England chirping in his ear. Having been spilled by Eoin Morgan he went for an ugly pull against Anderson and spliced a simple catch to mid-on
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo