INDIA DIG IN TO SECURE A VITAL DRAW

COME back Bazball, all is forgiven - win or bust still knocks spots off euthanasia.

- BY DANNY DE VAAL

Ben Stokes has only drawn two of his 37 Tests as England captain - and both were at Old Trafford.

Two years ago he was frustrated by rain handing the Ashes to the Aussies, and as India ground their way to safety on a strip of road on loan from Manchester's highways department, the fourth Test petered out.

England took just two wickets in the last five sessions of the match. The scorebook tells us India made 425-4, leading by 114 runs, when the curtain fell.

But ultimately the pitch broke the bowlers' hearts and stalemate was the winner.