Umpires unlikely to deny India

England vs India, 2nd Test, Day 5, Trent Bridge

India look set to complete an emphatic victory over England on the 5th morning of the 2nd test, needing just 63 runs and all day and 10 wickets with which to do it. India have dominated throughout the match and though the weather wiped out most of day 1, England will have no such luck today. The umpires even tried to get in the way of India, with Simon Taufel in particular, having a shocking third day, dismissing Tendulkar and Ganguly incorrectly, even admitting he got it wrong (about Tendulkar, at least).

It’s been a peculiar test match all round, one where tempers have frayed and England have lost their way. Undoubtedly, it was a toss to win, and England struggled in difficult conditions on day 1, albeit in disappointing fashion, failing to display any of the recent concentration and commitment. 198 seemed modest, and as the weather improved and the track dried out, it was up to India to make the most of it, which they duly did, posting an impressive 490 odd, with runs from moreorless the whole lineup. England’s bowlers toiled away but failed to make inroads and instead relied on shoddy tactics involving jelly beans to try and buy some wickets.

India look certain to wrap up a deserved victory and have given England plenty to think about ahead of the final test at the Oval.