Most pitch curators are possessive about the main square on a cricket field but Lee Fortis, the chief curator at The Oval, takes that obsession to a sacrosanct level.
Left-arm spinner Liam Dawson returned to England Test set up after a gap of eight years, replacing injured Shoaib Bashir in the squad for the fourth Test against India.
'He told me to remember all the hard work my father has put in to get me here.'
Across five fiercely contested Tests, more than 7,000 runs were scored, including a record-equalling 21 individual centuries. Every match stretched into a gripping fifth day. The sun shone, the stands were full, and the cricket -- emotional, enthralling, and endlessly unpredictable -- captured imaginations around the world.
Siraj, who bowled 185.3 overs in five Tests, ended with 23 wickets and his nine-for in the final Test at the Oval earned India a memorable series levelling six-run win over England.
'The wicket was a little spicy, so I was having a lot of fun batting.'
What makes this team special is their ability to fight till the end, asserts veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar. This team has announced that England's standard is not alarmingly high and, unlike in the past, they can be beaten on their home wickets, asserts veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
"That is the best five-match Test series I have ever been a part of and witnessed," says England head coach McCullum.
With the series nicely poised at 1-1 going into the third Test, the narrative built around both the teams has changed significantly following India's 336-run routing of England at Edgbaston.
'We want pace on the ball, we want the ball to bounce and we want the ball to carry through so that when we're batting, we can be aggressive, we can attack, and we can put pressure back on the bowlers.'
These lessons apply to every arena of life: Stay grounded, prepare diligently, seize your chance and let your results speak.
'Look, when someone comes back into the Test side like he does after a lengthy absence, the pressure is always there, and I think he has handled that very well.'
Jasprit Bumrah had made himself available for three of the five Tests in England and the Indian team management felt it was right to honour the star pacer's call considering his workload, said assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate.
'Bumrah bowled brilliantly in both the ODI and T20 World Cups. Siraj is also in the same league. To protect him from injuries'
The third Test at Lord's could well be the series' turning point. This isn't just about team combinations or tactical tweaks anymore. The pitch has emerged as a defining factor -- one that could tilt the balance of power in a contest hanging delicately at 1-1.
A look at India's narrowest victories by run margin -- games that tested nerves, showcased grit, and etched unforgettable drama into Test history.
Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his meteoric rise in international cricket with yet another outstanding overseas tour
Gill, 25, was appointed captain in May following the retirement of two great Indian batsmen and leaders in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Jamie Overton returns to the Test line-up for the first time since earning his sole cap against New Zealand at Headingley in June 2022.
England have named two uncapped players in Essex duo Sam Cook and Jordan Cox in the squad for the one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge later this month.
India and England players will push their tired bodies on the line with everything to play for in the fifth and final Test starting at The Oval on Thursday
While former Australian opener Matthew Hayden reckons series will go India's way, two former India players believe otherwise.
From Jasprit Bumrah's much-anticipated return to the all-rounder conundrum, the playing XI could very well hold the key to seizing control of this historic series.
Who do you think should be part of the Indian team for the fifth Test against England?
Teenager Eddie Jack's call-up comes at a time when England's pace stocks are depleted with less than 10 days to go for the opening Test.
England head coach Brendon McCullum believes India have arrived well-prepared and full of belief for the upcoming five-match Test series
England's Johnny Bairstow and Harry Brook smashed half centuries before debutant Gus Atkinson took four wickets to power England to a 2-0 lead over New Zealand in their four-match Twenty20 International series with a 95-run victory on Friday.
Ahead of England's five-match Test series against India at home, head coach Brendon McCullum hailed young all-rounder Jacob Bethell
West Indies batter Nicholas Pooran was named the 'Leading T20 Player in the World'.
British media reports said all 10 English players involved with the IPL will hold a meeting with the Professional Cricketers' Association over security arrangements for a potential return to India.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma has added another feather to his cap, becoming the second-highest six-hitter in One-day International (ODI) history.
K L Rahul would look to make the most of his first red-ball outing in months ahead of the upcoming Test series against England.
With the emergence of their battery of fast bowlers, India have turned the tide at Lord's with two of their victories coming from their last three Tests -- in 2014 and 2021.
Brydon Carse will replace Gus Atkinson for England's second T20 International against India on Saturday.
In a must-win situation to keep the five-match series alive, England would be hoping to put a much improved performance with the bat.
26-year-old Tom Banton, a wicketkeeper-batter, is currently the leading run-scorer in the UAE ILT20 competition.
Bumrah receives his ICC awards for 2024 during India-Pakistan match in Champions Trophy
India claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead over England after captain Rohit Sharma's rapid hundred secured a four-wicket win in the second one-day international on Sunday.
England captain Jos Buttler is confident that the upcoming T20I series against India will not impact their preparation for the Champions Trophy.
New Zealand made a strong start to their bid for a consolation victory in the third and final Test against England at Hamilton's Seddon Park on Saturday, reaching lunch on the opening day on 93 without loss.
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