A stunning late burst from Brydon Carse kept England alive on an utterly captivating fourth day of the third Test against India at Lord’s.
Bowling with supreme rhythm from the Pavilion End, Carse pinned both Karun Nair and India captain Shubman Gill leg before.
With the final ball of the day, Ben Stokes bowled nightwatchman Akash Deep to leave India 58-4, 135 adrift of their target of 193.
It was a dramatic end to a wonderful Sunday, one played on a surface that suddenly became venomous. India’s bowlers were brilliant to dismiss England for 192.
Jasprit Bumrah somehow only claimed two wickets, the main damage done by off-spinner Washington Sundar’s 4-22. England lost their last six wickets for 38 runs.
In a chaotic morning, Harry Brook was bowled trying to sweep seamer Akash Deep for 23. Joe Root dropped anchor for 40, Stokes even more guarded for 33.
Both the captain past and present were bowled by Sundar, part of a total of 12 home batters that have lost their furniture – an England record for a Test in this country.
Jofra Archer bounced out Yashasvi Jaiswal for nought, but Chris Woakes could not cling on to a return catch off KL Rahul when he had only five.
England were drifting out of the game until Carse’s intervention, before the talismanic Stokes had the final say. It will be a grandstand finale on Monday morning.
Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who damaged his finger on day three, is available to bowl for England if required, though looks set to be ruled out of the final two Tests.
