Washington stakes his claim as attacking option

When the ultimate aim is to take 20 wickets, it shouldn't matter who took them or how they were knocked off.

- Somshuvra Laha

But we live in times where there is a pressing need to have an opinion on who can bowl and who can’t, rather than who should bowl or shouldn't, writing off anyone trying to put his foot in the door. Safe to assume now that at least for a day, Washington Sundar has made most eat their words.

His name won't be on the Lord's honours board, comparisons with Ravichandran Ashwin will remain far-fetched, and for all you know Sundar will continue to be regarded as an all-rounder. But Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Ben Stokes will attest to the guile that made him unplayable on Sunday. On a fourth day Lord's pitch, he made the old ball turn, grip, hold its line and drift spectacularly to make the England middle order insecure about their off-stump corridor. No amount of horizontal shots, backfoot press or front-foot heaves seemed enough to negate him.