As the first Test between England and India enters its fifth day at Headingley, bowler Josh Tongue expressed optimism in his team’s chances of winning. England concluded Day 4 on 21 without loss, with 350 runs required and all ten wickets in hand.
India scored 364 in the second innings, thanks to KL Rahul’s 137 and Rishabh Pant’s game-changing twin century. However, under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England have created a practice of going for the win despite the high totals. Only one of their last 36 Tests under Stokes, the rain-hit Ashes encounter at Old Trafford, has resulted in a draw. The English pacer outlined the team’s approach to the chase.
“We’ll just go for the win. That is the unmistakable message from the changing room. It’s all about being as positive as possible. They will bowl well at moments tomorrow; it is simply important that we absorb and reapply that pressure. “I don’t see why we can’t pursue that,” he stated, as quoted by.
The visitors’ batting on Day 4 was underpinned by a 195-run combination between Rahul and Pant. Pant became only the second wicketkeeper in Test history to reach two centuries, following Andy Flower. Rahul smashed his third century in English conditions.
Getting through the first 30-45 minutes tomorrow will be critical: Josh Tongue
Meanwhile, Tongue’s spell with the second new ball decimated India’s lower order. He took three wickets in four deliveries, sparking a collapse reminiscent of the first innings. The Shubman Gill-led side fell 40-50 runs short of their aim. England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, played the final six overs safely, scoring 21 runs. According to Tongue, surviving the early morning phase will be critical.
“Our batting lineup is really good. We play a positive style of cricket. Chasing 371 will be a nice thing for us to undertake tomorrow. “Getting through the first 30-45 minutes tomorrow is going to be critical, and hopefully [we will] get the winning runs,” Tongue said.
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