The first Test between England and India at Headingley is currently balanced, with both teams having solid chances going into Day 5. As the home team has a 371-run total and India needs all ten wickets to win, famous England pacer Stuart Broad has named the visitors as favourites for the series opener.
Broad highlighted the burden on England’s batting lineup given the type and conditions of the fifth-day pitch. He admitted that facing the new ball in the morning would be difficult, particularly against a world-class bowler like Jasprit Bumrah.
“Getting through that new ball period will be crucial for England tomorrow. I believe India should be the favourites on a day five pitch.
They only need to create ten opportunities and catch them all. “They must be favourites,” Broad
Meanwhile, India were bowled out for 364 late on Day 4 following KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant’s 195-run partnership. Rahul’s 137 and Pant’s 118, his second century of the match, put the team in a good position. However, after the partnership was severed, the lower-order failed to fire, resulting in a collapse.
Shubman Gill has a responsibility to use the bowlers well: Stuart Broad
England’s Josh Tongue bagged three wickets in the same over as India went from 333/4 to 364 all out in just 71 deliveries. The final six wickets contributed a mere 31 runs, which was India’s second collapse in the match after losing seven wickets for 41 runs in the first innings. However, Broad believes that India’s bowlers are better placed to finish the job.
“But England will be taking themselves up in the dressing room and thinking they are favourites. Gill has a responsibility to use the bowlers well. They need to come in and whack the pitch as hard as they can,” he added.
England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett survived the six overs towards end the day, with England’s score reading 21/0. The hosts require 350 runs to win the game.
India
