Staring a fourth defeat in a row, and after eight long weeks on the Subcontinent, England can do with all the silver linings they can clutch at. And even though day two of this fifth and final Test served up another chastening day in the field – India hitting the attack to all parts on their way to a 255 first-innings lead with two wickets still intact – there were two slithers of light that should cheer the tourists.
First, the sight of Ben Stokes steaming in and taking a wicket with his first ball, that of the well-set Rohit Sharma. And second, the performance of Shoaib Bashir, who on a flat pitch showed character and class as he persevered to take four wickets and give the tourists some reason to cheer.
Even on the eve of this Test the likelihood of the captain turning his arm over seemed remote, and it was just a five-over spell. But Stokes reminded everyone what a fine bowler he is and offered a tantalising prospect of him being back in fifth gear come the English summer.
As with the rest of the England attack Bashir toiled in the face of Rohit and Shubman Gill’s attack. But the off-spinner kept on going picking up four wickets on the way as the hosts lost seven wickets for 198 having been 140 without loss. Tom Hartley, the other young spinner, chipped in with two wickets, as England showed some heart.
“They are two young guys that are building their careers in the Test arena. I keep drilling that into them that this is the most exciting time of your career so celebrate every wicket, and enjoy yourself out there with your team,” England spin coach Jeetan Patel told TNT Sports.
“Bash wasn’t well the day before the game started, he wasn’t 100% yesterday and he’s a bit iffy today as well so to bang out 45 overs and take four wickets is a great effort. He’s put in such a shift, so has Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, Jimmy – all of them.
“There are always tough days in Test cricket, and this was one of them.”
Stay here to see whether England can magic any other silver linings on what could be the final day of the series.