Drama unfolded at Lord’s on Saturday as England’s Zak Crawley was accused of time-wasting to deny India a second over before stumps on Day 3 of the third Test. The delay led to a heated on-field confrontation with Indian captain Shubman Gill, who was caught swearing on the stump mic as tempers boiled over. India had just bowled England out for 387 earlier in the day and matched the total themselves, giving them a window to bowl two overs before close of play. But only one over was completed, thanks to Crawley’s actions in the middle.After the day’s play, KL Rahul, who scored a fine hundred earlier, called the whole sequence “theatrics”. “Two overs is a no-brainer with six minutes to go,” he said. “But I know exactly what was going on. Everyone knows.”
England bowling coach Tim Southee hit back, pointing out delays from India earlier. “I’m not sure what they were complaining about when Gill was lying down getting a massage in the middle of the day yesterday,” he said. “It’s part of the game. It was good to see energy from both sides.”
Here’s how Jasprit Bumrah ’s over to Crawley unfolded, ball by ball:
Ball 1: England’s openers took their time walking out. Mohammed Siraj exchanged words with Ben Duckett as they passed each other. Crawley left the first delivery alone outside off stump.Ball 2: Bumrah slightly overpitched and Crawley clipped it for two runs.Ball 3: Just as Bumrah was about to deliver, Crawley pulled away, pointing to supposed movement behind the bowler’s arm. Shubman Gill wasn’t impressed and was heard shouting, “There’s no-one there! Get some balls, show f—ing balls!” The delivery was eventually bowled and left alone.Ball 4: Crawley defended a ball on off stump. Indian fielders continued to chirp from the slips.Ball 5: With only a minute left in the day, Crawley defended a rising delivery and reacted dramatically, shaking his right hand as if injured. He called for the physio. The Indian fielders clapped sarcastically. Gill walked over and exchanged angry words with Crawley. The two pointed fingers at each other as Duckett also stepped in. While the England physio tended to Crawley, the batter was seen comfortably drinking water moments later using the same hand.Ball 6: Crawley finally faced the last ball, was beaten by Bumrah, and immediately walked off without waiting.On a gripping third day at Lord’s, KL Rahul stood tall with his second century at the iconic ground, helping India match England’s first-innings total of 387. Rahul’s classy knock, supported by crucial contributions from Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant, kept India in the fight on a pitch that is starting to misbehave. Pant batted bravely despite a finger injury but was run out after a mix-up just before lunch. India’s lower order dug in but could not accelerate much, leaving the game finely balanced as England’s openers returned to bat.
