After two months in the subcontinent, England’s Test cricketers are within touching distance of the departure lounge. And after winning 2-0 in Sri Lanka, England’s Test winter would end very much in credit. India must avoid defeat to make the final of the World Test Championship – otherwise Tim Paine’s men will meet their trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in June. Photograph: Saikat Das/BCCISince being rolled for scores of 112 and 81 in the third Test, England’s batsmen have had plenty of time to stew. They also have a greater incentive, with Rahane, a vice-captain not prone to hyperbole, calling the World Test Championship the equal of the World Cup.

Source: The Guardian March 02, 2021 21:56 UTC