GILL AND RAHUL START FIGHTBACK

Stokes century gives hosts unassailable 311-run lead as visiting bowlers once again struggle in this England tour

- Express in England FIROZ MIRZA

With England skipper Ben Stokes and all-rounder Brydon Carse going hammer and tongs, India bowlers looked helpless on Day four of the fourth Test here at the Old Trafford Ground on Saturday morning. The bowling attack led by Jasprit Bumrah conceded 115 runs in a little over 22 overs in the morning session as England put 669 runs on the scoreboard and took a huge first innings lead of 311 runs. The total is now the highest at the venue, surpassing Australia's 656/8 against England in 1964.

This was for the first time India conceded 600-plus runs in Tests since 2014 - their 680/8 against New Zealand in Wellington and it tells a lot about the team's bowling attack.

Ahead of the series, captain Shubman Gill had said their priority is to take 20 wickets as a Test match cannot be won without bowling out opponents twice. But there seems to be a stark difference between their words and actions. Unlike what Gill said, the team management is going for batting depth even if it means sacrificing a specialist bowler. The warning signs were there when Gill and Co could not account for 20 wickets in the first match of the series at Leeds.