SEPTEMBER 2, 2018
Brief Scorecard: England 246 (Curran 78) and 271 (Buttler 69, Shami 4-57) beat India 283 (Pujara 132*, Moeen 5-71) and 184 (Kohli 58, Rahane 51, Moeen 4-63) by 60 runs
September 2, 2018: England v India, 4th Test, Southampton, 4th day And the game hung on the battle between Kohli and Moeen Ali – Getty Images
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – Moeen Ali grabbed nine wickets in the match to spin England to series-clinching victory over India in the fourth Test in Southampton on Sunday.
Chasing a tricky 245 for a win, India were bundled out for 184. England won the match by 60 runs an took an unassailable 3-1 series lead in the 50-match contest.
Moeen Ali has Virat Kohli caught at short-leg – Getty Images
A gritty 101-run partnership between captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane had raised India’s hope after they lost three early wickets in their chase of 245 for victory.
But when Kohli was dismissed for a fighting 58 by Moeen Ali just before tea, India’s resistance crumbled and they lost their last six wickets for 51 runs.
Recalled off-spinner Moeen also claimed the wicket of Rahane (51) and ended with figures of four for 71, having bagged five wickets in India’s first innings.
Ravichandran Ashwin blazed away for a spirited 25 to keep England waiting before Sam Curran finished it off by trapping him lbw.
September 2, 2018: England v India, 4th Test, Southampton, 4th day Stuart Broad bowled KL Rahul with one that kept really low in the fourth over – Getty Images
All-rounder Ben Stokes was all smiles to end up on the winning side.
“Came here with a bit of pressure after that performance at Trent Bridge. We could have easily crumbled but we showed great character. Pretty special day. The lead that we had was always crucial regardless of their batting line-up. Took me back a few years to score those runs (smiles). I just thought that the time I spent out there was crucial. I said to Stuart [Broad] I have gone away, away, away, is it too greedy to throw one back in and he said, no it’s No. 9 and it worked,” Stokes said.
Sam Curran, who was dropped for the third Test, said it was special feeling to contribute to England’s victory. Curran scored a crucial fifty and also picked two wickets in the match.
“I can’t believe what’s happening. It’s a special feeling to contribute to the win and most importantly we have won the series. I am just trying to play naturally as I have done for Surrey, luckily a few have come out of the screws nicely,” Curran said.
James Anderson was all praise for Moeen Ali and said the off-spinner made the job of England pacers easy.
“I was praying for something to happen. Mo bowled so well. The pressure that he created was immense. Made our job easier. We were praying for half-chances, few LBWs to go our way. He’s [Kohli] their best player. If not, one of the best players in the world. We’ve put him down in the series a few times but you got to give him credit. Wasn’t expecting it [the dropped catch of Ashwin]. If Ashwin can get a few away, nerves will start getting to us. So, need to convert those half-chances,” Anderson said.
Stuart Broad credited both the teams for playing the series with intensity.
“Fantastic. It’s been a brilliant series, quite emotional too. It’s been a great series so far, each day you are not really sure which way the Test match is a going to go and it’s a great feeling walking off with a series win. Huge credit to both teams for the way they have played. Both teams have shown amazing character. When Ashwin was hitting like that and with just 60 odd left we were a bit down and thinking could they do it? Brilliant feeling any time you win any Test match of a series particularly against a number side in the world. Has been really intense. We have been helped by the pitches in the first three Tests. Our workloads have been manageable, but still tiring,” Broad said.
The fifth and final match of the series will be played at the Oval from September 7.
Courtesy/Source: India Today / ESPNCricinfo
