England v India: women’s Test, day four updates – live
Key events
50th over: England 156-7 ( Ecclestone 24, Wong 1) Wong has thrown away her childish things, not a stroke in anger to Rana. But she gets a run after 22 balls of prodding
50th over: England 146-7 ( Ecclestone 24, Wong 0) The cup floweth over – two boundaries from Ecclestone – both through point – one a chance felled by Bhatia, who gets a pat on the head.
49th over: England 146-7 ( Ecclestone 15, Wong 0) Rana again, Ecclestone smiles as she shuffles forward to a ball that passes just outside the stumps. More patient prodding.
48th over: England 146-7 ( Ecclestone 15, Wong 0) Huge cheers as the big screen shows Sachin Tendulkar in a brown short sleeved shirt take his seat in front of the pavilion.
47th over: England 143-7 ( Ecclestone 12, Wong 0) Can England draw this out till lunch? Rana in long sleeves dances in. Dab, Ecclestone defends, dab, Wong defends.
46th over: England 142-7 ( Ecclestone 11, Wong 0) Lots of screams and shouts from the crowd – as Ecclestone is dropped by Sheh Rana at second slip off Gaud. Harmanpreet immediately whisks her out of position.
45th over: England 139-7 ( Ecclestone 8, Wong 0) Wong gets her first examination of the innings from Rana – prods gently forwards to every ball. A maiden.
44th over: England 139-7 ( Ecclestone 8, Wong 0) A handsome drive from Ecclestone gives a little pick-me-up to England fans.
WICKET! Jones c Verma b Rana 54 (England 135-7)
A dirty old swipe is duly collected at midwicket
43rd over: England 135-7 ( Ecclestone 4, Wong 0)
42nd over: England 131-6 (Jones 52, Ecclestone 1) Lots of Indian supporters heading to the ground today, taking photos by the entrance – suspect they might outnumber England fans. A handful of spectators sit on the benches in front of the pavilion, and a fine scattering in the bottom tier of the grandstand. One from Sayali’s over.
41st over: England 130-6 (Jones 52, Ecclestone 1) A neat maiden from Sneh Rana to start.
Apologies all, the remnants of a trackside fire delayed my train into Paddington. Just wrunalk in time for the first over from Rana.
And RIP Bazball – the best fun in those weird post-Covid days when life needed a bolt of joy.
News on Heather Knight’s retirement after a wonderful career – a mid-match announcement in the mode of Ben Stokes.
This is Raf’s report from yesterday:
Preamble
Good morning! We return to Lord’s for the last rites of this Test, England in a right stew after losing six wickets last night after being set 457 to win. Not their finest hour, which is a shame on a historic occasion, and with Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight about to step out of the spotlight, but some of the most interesting stories have dappled endings.
It is due to be slightly cooler today, maxing out at a mere 28 degrees at three o’clock – though the game will be long packed up and dusted away by then. But do join us this morning to sort through the entrails and mull over an eventful summer for the women’s game.
