At last, something to clap about

With the England’s innings closing at 515 and India in reply being 66/1 at stumps, the series is still wide open. Despite the fact that Harbhajan Singh had a five-wicket haul; it was Sanjay Bangar, perhaps the team’s most unglamorous and unsung player, who was the star of the day.

In the morning, he tormented England’s overconfident batsmen while later in the day he was frustrating the host bowlers. After his opening mate Virender Sehwag departed scoring 12 from 10 balls, Bangar defended solidly for 95 minutes to make 17. At the end of the day giving Bangar company was the ever dependable Rahul Dravid on 31.

The day began with a packed Oval anticipating history. Vaughan needed just 18 runs to fulfil his dream. But as he approached the magic figure his patience ran out. Vaughan’s first mistake proved fatal. When on 195 he edged a Zaheer Khan out-swinger to wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra.

His walk to pavilion was a moment of dramatic irony. Annoyed with himself, yet being warmly applauded by the 19,000 strong crowd. After getting out at 197 at Trent Bridge, Vaughan must be kicking himself for missing the milestone once again.

But failure too brings fame in this game of statistics. Vaughan became the fourth Test batsman to be dismissed twice during the 190s. The other three illustrious predecessors being Everton Weeks, Ian Chappell and Mohammad Azharuddin.

After Zaheer’s breakthrough, Bangar took over. Even though his gentle out-swingers didn’t create terror in the opposition camp, he harried the English batsmen by his controlled line and length. He frustrated the pair of John Crawley and Nasser Hussain by conceding just eight runs form eight overs.

Crawley was lbw while Hussain chased a delivery wide outside the off stump to be caught by VVS Laxman at second slip. Alec Stewart, who was expected to increase the tempo, played an uncharacteristically subdued innings of 23 from 76 balls.

At 434/6, it seemed that England wouldn’t reach 500. But Dominic Cork, who replaced the injured Flintoff, filled in the all-rounder’s shoes just fine. During his cameo knock of 52, he punished Bangar and Agarkar with boundaries on either side. Cork finally fell to Harbhajan.

Even after Cork’s departure England’s tail stood firm with Ashley Giles and Andrew Caddick compiling useful knocks. Giles (31) fell to Kumble while the last man Hoggard faced only one ball before being trapped lbw by Harbhajan.

England’s innings folded up at 515. The Indians have an uphill task at hand. Sehwag’s dismissal only added to their woes but Dravid and Bangar saw through the day without any further mishap.