India set England a huge target and then skittled the tourists out for 122 to romp to a 434-run victory in the third Test and go 2-1 up in the five-match series on Sunday.
Suspended all-rounder Ben Stokes has left England on a trip to visit family in New Zealand and will not be joining the Ashes squad, the England and Wales Cricket Board said.
This breathtaking backdrop sets the stage for an iconic moment as England's James Anderson stands on the cusp of a historic achievement -- just two wickets away from the coveted 700 in Test cricket.
Ben Stokes' match haul of 254 runs and three wickets fashioned England's series-levelling victory against West Indies in the second Test on Monday, also earning him the player-of-the-match award.
Ben Stokes returned to practice with England on Wednesday after the condition of his critically ill father improved, but three others missed out as illness continue to plague the tourists, 24 hours ahead of the first Test against South Africa at Centurion. Stokes spent Tuesday at the bedside of father Ged, who was hospitalised the day before due to a "serious illness".
The second Test begins on Thursday, with a third and final Test scheduled at Birmingham starting on July 26.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and spinner Nathan Lyon made history on Friday as they became the first bowling quartet in Test history to take 500 Test wickets while playing together.
South Africa trail by 439 runs and will need to bat for much of the weekend to stay in the contest and avoid going 2-1 behind in the four-Test series.
'There's always some calculated thinking behind it.'
India are yet to win a Test in Birmingham in nearly six decades -- boasting of a dismal record of seven losses and one draw in eight attempts.
Atkinson, who is playing his first Test of the series following a hamstring strain, said that he is "ready to push the limits" in case Woakes does not take any further part.
After sending a strong message in response to his critics before the squad announcement for the India series, Pope assured that he knows where he stands in the "hierarchy".
James Anderson, Broad and Ollie Robinson will lead the pace attack with Moeen, who retired from tests in 2021, returning to the side after Jack Leach was ruled out of the series due to a back injury.
Following are the records set by England and Stokes en route his magnificent double century and the massive first innings total...
Shubman Gill's early days as India's Test captain have stirred intense debate -- not just for his on-field decisions, but for a noticeable shift in persona.
In the space of just 10 balls, Ben Stokes blasted his way from 50 off 40 balls to 95 from 50 balls -- hitting 45 runs with six sixes and a four to take the match away from India's grasp.
"If anyone doubted he was ever a team man, they got to see it first-hand today. That requires more than just steel," Shastri said in a video posted by the BCCI on its website.
Ben Stokes' return to full fitness is a boost for England
India's total never looked out of reach for England's batting lineup after Bairstow and Jason Roy set the tone for the chase with an opening stand of 110.
India's batting faltered under pressure as they suffered a 22-run defeat in the third Test against England, at Lord's.
England have called up uncapped batsman Ollie Pope to replace out of form David Malan while paceman Chris Woakes comes in for all-rounder Ben Stokes for the second Test against India, which begins on Thursday at Lord's.
On the same day, England play New Zealand in a T20 in Wellington, their first game in a tri-series also involving Australia.
'He (Stokes) always stands up in the biggest moments. He is a man who can take a lot of pressure on his shoulders and perform, and yeah, with him in the middle you know you have got a good chance.'
Mahendra Singh Dhoni recalls a rare moment when he lost his cool and stormed into the field to confront the umpires during an IPL match in 2019.
Another India lower-order collapse gave England a fighting chance of a thrilling victory in the first Test at Headingley on Monday, with the hosts 21/0 in their second innings at the close of play on day four, chasing 371 to win.
Gill earns glory with maiden double hundred, puts India on top in second Test
England still have hopes of winning this game. This prognosis is based on their fourth innings exploits over the last three years and the fact that India galloped to 321 runs in 70 overs, suggesting the wicket isn't particularly tricky. However, the big difference from Leeds in June this year, or Birmingham in 2022, is that this track still has plenty of juice.
And what did he eat before scripting that miraculous win? Takeaway chicken and chocolate bars! Yes, you read that right.
Pant now has three Test centuries on English soil.
Ben Stokes will join his England team mates in New Zealand later this week after the cricketer appeared at a magistrates' court on Tuesday to indicate a plea of not guilty to a charge of affray.
The Englishman cut Cummins upishly only to see wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik leap to his left and pull off a two finger catch, which the commentators ruled was the catch of the tournament.
Bumrah finished with figures of 6 for 45 -- his 10th five wicket haul in Test cricket -- while also becoming the fastest Indian pacer to take 150 Test wickets.
England captain Joe Root hailed the influence of 'golden nugget' Ben Stokes
Images from Day 4 of the third Test Ashes Test in Leeds on Sunday.
Australian media can't have enough of 'miracle man' Stokes after Headingley thriller, compare him to Ian Botham.
'Look at the opposition. Like in anything in life, try and learn. Why did we collapse? Why Crawley keeps getting starts and keeps getting out? Ben Duckett, got a brilliant 150, gave a charge when the ball was too new.'
'Sehwag put the fear into opposing bowlers and Pant has the same ability at six to do the same. He will make mistakes and get out for low scores at times but he will also win so many games.'
India's live events scene is hitting a high note. With global performers adding the country to their tour maps and the government aiming to double the concert economy, hotels in key metro cities are bracing for sold-out weekends. Travel operators, too, are curating packages built entirely around concerts.
England Test captain Ben Stokes is very categorical that his participation in the IPL 2023 will depend on the national team's calendar.
Brook's innings was by no means chanceless -- Tom Latham and Tim Southee both missed one good chance to take a thick edge in the slips -- but he rode his luck to bring up his 10th Test half century with a six.
