Aussies rely on old-school ploy, leave England reeling

How long do you need to chase down 371? 85 overs? 75? Or less? We are talking England mind you, not the rest of the world still hanging on to their coattails.

- Somshuvra Laha

The average fourth innings run rate this year has been 3.48 but England have been going about it at 3.54 runs per over. The psychological barrier however is 378/5, England's highest fourth-innings score in a victory since June 2022 when they went "Bazball".

That Edgbaston Test, on a rather abrasive surface against an India attack comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja, England won in 76.4 overs going at a run rate of 4.93. Australia bowlers are equally skilled, a couple of clicks quicker, but also without Nathan Lyon. Still, they have already bagged four wickets. Not casting doubts on England's ability which really starts to show No. 4 onwards, but there is a higher probability of Australia producing six wicket-taking balls from here than England winning the Lord's Test.