Trisha Ghosal in Manchester
England started Day 4 with the upper hand. Ben Stokes had bulldozed his way to a century — his first in two years — and with India reeling before lunch, a quick collapse felt imminent. But as the second session wore on, the mood shifted. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul’s unbroken stand blunted the new ball, defied England’s plans, and forced the hosts to grind harder than expected.
Is Stokes Fit to Bowl on Day 5?
“We’re hoping so,” Trescothick said, though he didn’t sound overly confident. “He’s stiff and sore. The workload has been heavy, more than he’s ever done in a series.” Stokes cramped up while batting and hasn’t bowled in India’s second innings. “We’re monitoring it. A managed Stokes is better than no Stokes,” he added, pointing out that if Stokes left the field, he wouldn’t be allowed to bowl on Day 5. “He’s staying on the field, captain or not, we need him.”
India Batted Well. Were England Flat?
Trescothick admitted frustration. “We thought we’d get a few more wickets today, especially with the movement on offer early.” India’s batters, however, neutralised the threat. “They were positive early, softened the ball, and from 25-30 overs onwards, it gets a lot harder. We still felt we should’ve picked a couple up.”
If Stokes Can’t Bowl, Who Fills the Gap?
“Of course it’s a blow,” he said. “You lose anyone from a four or five-man attack and it puts more pressure on the others. We might see Root bowl more. But we’ve done it before, played with three seamers and a spinner. The rest have to step up.”
On Stokes’ Century: Was It His Best in a While?
“I’d say it was his most fluent since the West Indies knock. He looked back to himself this morning. It’s been coming, he’s been desperate to contribute like this. With others chipping in, he wanted to make his mark too.”
On England’s Summer of Thrillers
Trescothick said this ranks among the best. “Every game going five days, two quality sides going at it, it’s great entertainment. You never know what’ll happen, not just by Day 5, but session to session.”
And as rain and a second new ball loom, the final act is yet to unfold.
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