VISAKHAPATNAM: First, the bad news. The myth of Bazball grew limbs and became an outsized monster on the back of some thrilling fourth-innings chases.
The Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum regime saw their team chase down scores in excess of 250 four consecutive times. In 150 years of Tests, it had never been done before they placed their tanks in the front of conventional Test wisdom. That sort of hedonism is still in play. While chasing a score, they have won eight out of 10.
Now, the good news (this may not even be all that good). England still need 332 to win on a surface where the odd ball is keeping low, with some turn. There’s also the Jasprit Bumrah factor. The ball is 14 overs old. Considering he has got it to reverse around the 20 overs mark in the first innings as well as in Hyderabad, a clutch of wickets could follow.
There’s also R Ashwin, who gave India a much-needed breakthrough before stumps. After going wicket-less for the first time out, this was already a better start.