CRAWL TO PLAY FOR AS SIDES FINISH LEVEL!

ENGLAND opener Zak Crawley infuriated India with time-wasting tactics as the third Rothesay Test built towards an intriguing climax at Lord's.

- RORY DOLLARD

The scores were tied at 387 each after England's bowlers finally showed their teeth late on day three, leaving enough time for two nerve racking overs deep in the evening session.

But Crawley ensured there would only be one, pulling out of his stance on three occasions as Jasprit Bumrah roared in from the Nursery End. He appeared to be citing distractions behind the arm though it was far from clear what had caught his eye.

India were clearly annoyed by the delays and tempers soured even further as Crawley played a stout defensive, then shook his hand and waved for the physio. He dashed out for a cursory glance at the hand, then retreated as the clock ticked past 6.30pm, meaning no second over for the batters to face.

Boos rang out from the India fans and captain Shubman Gill made his displeasure clear. Crawley played and missed at the final ball from Bumrah before turning on his heels and can expect plenty of spicy words when he resumes on day four, with England two for nought.

Ben Stokes had earlier roused England's spirits with two decisive interventions, pulling off the opportunistic run-out of Rishabh Pant in the last over before lunch and removing Nitish Kumar Reddy with a vicious lifter in the evening.