Only India can win the Nottingham Test from here on: Michael Vaughan

Rain has played a huge part once again in the first Test between England and India. After an uninterrupted opening day’s play, not much cricket has been played over the last two days. The hosts, after opting to bat first, were bowled out for just 183. In reply, India found themselves in trouble at 205/7 but to everyone’s surprise, the tail wagged as they posted 278 runs to take a vital lead of 95 runs.

And although the forecast for the fourth day is decent, there is some rain predicted later in the day as well. For the same reason, former England cricketer Michael Vaughan feels that only India can win the first Test from here on. The hosts still trail by 70 runs after ending the third day at 25/0 and according to Vaughan, the more the time reduces from the Test, England’s chances get lesser.

“There is a bit more rain on Day 4 which may save the England side. I am sure we will get some cricket on Day 4, the ball will swing around. India are in the box seat. Don’t worry and don’t be too concerned over there. The more time gets taken out of the game, there is only one team that can win the game and that is India. England won’t have enough time to get India out,” Vaughan said while speaking to Cricbuzz.

Michael Vaughan feels ball will swing more on Day 4

With sun out on the third day, the Duke’s ball didn’t swing much and England’s openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley weren’t troubled much. The duo added 25 runs in 11.1 overs before rain stopped play to never start again. However, Michael Vaughan pointed out that the ball will start swinging after it gets around 30-40 overs old when the lacquer over it goes off.

Something similar happened in the first innings of both the teams. Batting seemed easy when Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow were batting but the latter’s wicket triggered a collapse. Even India found themselves strongly placed at 97/0, but James Anderson started swinging the old and their middle-order collapsed.