BIRMINGMHAM: England hunted down 378 and completed their highest successful chase in Test history at Edgbaston on the back of tons from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow to draw level 2-2 against India.
The Test series that began in August 2021 finally came to an end in July 2022 and at the end of it, both teams shared the spoils 2-2.
Sit back, watch and enjoy ❤️🏏
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 5, 2022
England’s surge in the ICC World Test Championship standings continued as a result, solidifying their 7th spot with at a point percentage of 33.33. India, on the other hand, are third with 53.47 but have Pakistan, West Indies and Sri Lanka breathing down their neck.
So @root66's series stats are an absolute joke! 🐐
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/jzKru38I85
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 5, 2022
There was a stark contrast to the conditions from yesterday to today – from bright and sunny day four, the final day was gloomy and overcast, giving India some hope of a possible comeback.
Three of our top ten chases achieved in our last three Test matches 😅
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/jKoipFmvoB
🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/LJDQjJmAk2
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 5, 2022
However, it was only the first over of the day from Mohammed Siraj that India looked slightly threatening, after which Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow went about their business.
India were guilty of being extremely wayward in their lines and lengths, giving away few too many extras to their liking. The boundaries were flowing easily from the bats of the duo as they started getting closer to the total.
Root, Bairstow ton up
The No.1 batter in the notched up his 28th Test ton, his fifth of the year, in style with a boundary. If the shackles weren’t broken already, Root became more dangerous after the milestone. Bairstow, at the other end, was patiently playing second fiddle to his former captain in his nineties.
England win 🎉#WTC23 | #ENGvIND | https://t.co/wMZK8kf03b pic.twitter.com/fLyKbOtPkh
— ICC (@ICC) July 5, 2022
The Yorkshireman got to his fourth Test hundred in three Tests and smashed Siraj for three consecutive boundaries to bring the runs needed to single digits. Root hit the winning run to complete their record chase and draw the series 2-2.
What a masterful performance from England 👊
Here's how the #WTC23 standings look after the final #ENGvIND 👉 https://t.co/WwrlI6xog9 pic.twitter.com/1QrDZCFoxz
— ICC (@ICC) July 5, 2022
On a bright and sunny day, Indian batters were guilty of not making the most of the batting conditions. Captain Stokes led from the front with the ball with a four-for and bundled India out for 245, setting England a target of 378.
