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With the last over of play about to start at Old Trafford on Day 5 of the fourth Test, things got dramatic. By this now, India had fought tooth and nail to ensure that England are not going to win – a result that seemed imminent when the visitors were down 0/2 on Day 4. But after a fabulous partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar all but eliminated an England win, captain Ben Stokes went to the Indian batters and offered the draw before the last hour’s play was to start. But with Jadeja and Washington batting on 89 and 80, the Indians didn’t take the offer from Stokes and chose to continue batting.
The relevant rule in the Playing Conditions for Test cricket is “12.7.6 Last Hour” and reads: A minimum of 15 overs shall be bowled in the last hour and all calculations with regard to suspensions of play or the start of a new innings shall be based on 1 over for each full 4 minutes (refer to clause 12.7.9 below). 22 On the final day, if both captains (the batters at the wicket may act for their captain) accept that there is no prospect of either side achieving a victory, they may agree to finish the match after (a) the time for the commencement of the last hour has been reached OR (b) there are a minimum of 15 overs to be bowled, whichever is the later.
Shortly after this drama, Jadeja scored his century as England resorted to bowling loopy deliveries to him through Harry Brook. Jadeja slammed a six down the ground to score his 2nd Test century. There was a line heard on the stump mic: “You want to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook?”
“The England players are not applauding the century here, they are standing with arms folded. I’d ask them to keep batting, and keep the team on the field for the full 15 overs,” former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said on commentary on Sony Sports Network. He went on to add that someone should question England in the media conference why they batted till they scored 669 in their first innings, and not declare earlier.
The players did eventually shake hands in the end after Washington Sundar got to his maiden Test century. Former England captain Michael Atherton called it farcical bowling from Brook in the end, but Washington has earned this.
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