India collapse to 112-4 at the close as England take complete control and close in on a series-levelling victory
6.34pm BST
Right, thats it from me. Stick around on site for all the reports and reaction from Southampton. And join us again tomorrow for the conclusion. Cheerio!
6.31pm BST
India 112-4. Pretty much the perfect day for England.
6.30pm BST
42nd over: India 112-4 (Rohit 6, Rahane 18) Anderson again. Its slightly weary stuff from him really, but thats somewhat understandable given that he started the day with the ball in his hands at 11am (although, yes, he did have a bit of a break in the middle). Rahane adds a few more to the tally. And thats stumps.
6.25pm BST
41st over: India 107-4 (Rohit 5, Rahane 13) Time for some loopy leg-spin. Gary Ballance gets the ball in his hands. The first is overpitched and punched through the covers for four by Rahane. Erasmus, perhaps readying for his dinner and a nice glass of something, opts not to call the penultimate ball of the over a wide.
6.22pm BST
40th over: India 102-4 (Rohit 5, Rahane 9) Anderson returns for what will be a two-over blast. Rahane pulls rather wildly for a single that brings up the India 100. Then DROPPED! From the penultimate ball of the over Rohit pops one back to the bowler, who cant grab on with his outstretched left hand.
6.17pm BST
39th over: India 99-4 (Rohit 3, Rahane 8) Ali again, with four overs remaining (which they should just squeeze in). Ali offers Rahane a juicy full toss, which the batsman simply taps gently to midwicket. A sweep for a single off the last denies Ali a maiden.
6.15pm BST
38th over: India 98-4 (Rohit 3, Rahane 7) A bit of block, a bit of leave from Rohit and Rahane as Broad bends his back once more.
6.12pm BST
37th over: India 96-4 (Rohit 2, Rahane 7) Rahane biffs the first boundary in an age from the final ball of Alis over.
Moeen Ali's first five Tests: 14 wickets at 38.35 Graeme Swann's last five Tests: 14 wickets at 56.78
6.09pm BST
36th over: India 90-4 (Rohit 1, Rahane 2) Halfway is the shout from the fielders out in the middle. Which isnt strictly true, but hey ho. Broad hasnt found a great deal of penetration here. Itll be interesting to see if he, rather than Moeen Ali, is the man replaced to give Anderson one last charge this evening.
What came to mind as I read the lovely over 24, and the artist Thomas Brooks (over 30) is looking for, is Piero Manzoni, writes Richard Neal. He canned it, each one 30g net freshly preserved, produced and tinned in May 1961. Its worth its weight in gold. Literally.
6.05pm BST
35th over: India 90-4 (Rohit 1, Rahane 2) Ali once more. He has picked up some impressive scalps in his Test career Kohli, Sangakkara, Pujara, Rohit, Jadeja, Rahane, Vijay, Thirmanne. His 14 Test scalps havent been tail-enders. The debate over his status part-time or frontline will probably go on for as long as hes the main spin bowler in the England XI. The bottom line, though, is that he has taken big wickets. No wicket here, though. A maiden.
6.03pm BST
34th over: India 90-4 (Rohit 1, Rahane 2) Broad sends down a maiden at Rahane.
5.59pm BST
33rd over: India 90-4 (Rohit 1, Rahane 2) Who needs a frontline spinner? Ali has the scalps of Pujara and Kohli, Root has done for Dhawan one of the most formidable batting lineups in world cricket being undone by part-time twirling.
5.55pm BST
Got him! Moeen Ali does Kohli with one that goes straight on and finds the outside edge. Buttler pouches and Indias steady crumble goes on.
5.53pm BST
32nd over: India 87-3 (Kohli 26, Rahane 2) Stuart Broad returns for a quick blast before the close. A good tight line, an awkward length, but Rahane stands firm.
In the event that Jordan and Woakes dont take any wickets in this match then there will probably be clamour for them to be replaced for the next match, in particular considering that both Stokes and Plunkett bowled well at Lords and were then left out here, writes David Wall. In some sense that would be justified (to different degrees with each of the bowlers), but in another might it be a worrying sign of a return to 90s-style constant changes with the instability, insecurity, and sad failures to fulfil potential that that brought with it. In the event of a win is there a case to be made for keeping the team the same (Andersons disciplinary problems permitting) despite differing levels of performance here?
5.48pm BST
31st over: India 87-3 (Kohli 26, Rahane 2) Having broken that partnership, Root is given a rest and Ali returns. Rahane looks to be aggressive but he cant connect cleanly with anything. He nabs a single.
5.44pm BST
30th over: India 86-3 (Kohli 26, Rahane 1) Kohli edges Jordan wide of the slips four four. Rahane gets off the mark with a push for a single.
Re. 24th over entry, begins Thomas Banks. Is that some type of Tracey Emin thing?
5.40pm BST
29th over: India 80-3 (Kohli 18, Rahane 0) And thats over.
Re: over 24. You are going to get some crap for this I suspect, writes James Sparling. After England had been keeping it tight for a while, the runs started flowing. Hows that for shots and giggles?
5.40pm BST
Root continues after the drinks break and he gets his man. Its classic left-handers dismissal to the off-spinner, the ball turning onto the edge and being pouched at slip.
5.32pm BST
28th over: India 76-2 (Kohli 18, Dhawan 36) Kohli flicks Jordan away for a couple. Things have just quietened down. Expect the return of Broad and/or Anderson very shortly.
5.27pm BST
27th over: India 76-2 (Kohli 18, Dhawan 36) With 14 overs remaining today, England turn to Joe Root. But he cant find the turn that Moeen Ali extracted from this pitch. Three from the over.
5.24pm BST
26th over: India 73-2 (Kohli 17, Dhawan 34) Dhawan edges Jordan wide of the slip cordon for four runs that take him to his highest score of the series.
Reading your 24th over entry, writes Simon Brooks. I have to ask what you normally do after visiting the facilities. Most people flush
5.20pm BST
25th over: India 69-2 (Kohli 17, Dhawan 30) Another testing over from Ali. Kohli prods and pokes away.
Afternoon John, writes Thomas Hopkins. Re. 24th over. Best. Typo. Ever. Ahem. You may need to refresh your browsers.
5.17pm BST
24th over: India 69-2 (Kohli 17, Dhawan 30) Jordan overpitches and is driven straight down the ground by Kohli for four, then he flails through the covers for four more. Two shots so aesthetically pleasing they should be framed and come with a little cardboard square that explains what youre looking at in a really pretentious way.
Is it possible that DRS keeps the umpires on their toes and they go to pot without it? wonders Rory Taylor. And I say this as someone who in true 606 phone in style hasnt actually watched a ball today. Could you perhaps construct an argument based on the decisions in this Test, that theyre less trigger-happy?
5.11pm BST
23rd over: India 60-2 (Kohli 8, Dhawan 30) Ali drops a touch too short, Dhawan rocks back and cuts hard for four. Theres an appeal from the fourth ball, another shouldering-of-arms that turned just a touch. Then Ali rips another past the outside edge. A good battle.
5.09pm BST
22nd over: India 56-2 (Kohli 8, Dhawan 26) Chris Jordan into the attack. He could do with a strong start, having looked a little flaky in the first innings. Dhawan clips him away for a quiet single.
5.05pm BST
21st over: India 55-2 (Kohli 8, Dhawan 25) Batsman and Buttler are caught out by a delivery that bobbles through outside off and trundles away for four byes. And Kohli clips Ali away for a couple off the bat for good measure.
The few of us sat here at the Rose Bowl (sic) are reduced to bewildered bemusement at the standard of umpiring, writes Anonymous. Thought Id never state this bring on DRS. Certainly, it seems the fans at the ground are short-changed by it. The whole big-screen replay system is part of the drama of Test cricket these days. Those at the ground arent getting full value.
5.01pm BST
20th over: India 49-2 (Kohli 6, Dhawan 25) Dhawans NO when turning down a run is something a little unusual. NOOHOoooooo it goes. NOOHOoooooo. He says NOOHOoooooo to couple, then from the last stands up in his tip-toes and punches Woakes square for four.
Are they chanting Ali, boma ye, Ali boma ye at the Rose Bowl yet? If not they should be, writes Tom Ireland. On a serious note, are they chanting Moeen, Moeen, Moeen, Moee-eeen to the tune of Jolene yet? If not they should be. Theyre not. But there are so few people in the stands at the Rose Bowl, Im not sure wed hear them if they did.
4.57pm BST
19th over: India 45-2 (Kohli 6, Dhawan 21) Ali again. Kohli drives neatly through the covers for two.
4.54pm BST
18th over: India 42-2 (Kohli 4, Dhawan 20) Woakes continues his examination of Kohlis technique outside off. An inside edge comes to his rescue from the fifth delivery. The sense of impending collapse is hanging in the air. If you were to put money on it at the moment, youd back India being five down by the close.
4.50pm BST
17th over: India 42-2 (Kohli 4, Dhawan 20) Ali drags one down, as he is occasionally wont to do, and gets deservedly carted through midwicket for four by Dhawan. Hes bowling pretty much as well as Ive seen him bowl for England the third ball smacks into Dhawans pad. Hes absolutely plumb, but umpire Erasmus shakes his head, perhaps thinking it was bat first. It wasnt.
4.47pm BST
16th over: India 38-2 (Kohli 4, Dhawan 16) Woakes sends down a probing maiden at Kohli.
4.43pm BST
15th over: India 38-2 (Kohli 4, Dhawan 16) A stone-cold jaffer from Ali drifts into Dhawan then fizzes away past the outside edge. Theres an lbw shout from the next, but despite the lack of shot from Dhawan, its missing off stump by a good margin. And the last, too leggish, is whipped away gratefully for four.
Moeen's got the best strike-rate (59.3) of any of England's bowlers so far in this series
4.41pm BST
14th over: India 34-2 (Kohli 4, Dhawan 12) Woakes sends one seaming gloriously away from Dhawan. And from the last theres hesitation from Kohli as Dhawan calls a not-particularly-quick single. India look frazzled at the moment.
4.37pm BST
13th over: India 33-2 (Kohli 4, Dhawan 11) So Moeen Ali strikes second ball. That brings the horribly out-of-nick Virat Kohli to the crease, and hes not a million miles away from dabbing one straight to the man at forward short leg.
This other angle shows just how good a grab it was from Jordan. India are on 29-2, Kohli the new man in: #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/QQOeCMrH8m
4.32pm BST
India are in huge trouble. Well, they were in huge trouble before. Now theyre in even huger trouble. Ali flummoxes Pujara with one that grips, rips and finds the edge. Jordan takes a quite superb low catch at slip.
4.29pm BST
12th over: India 28-1 (Pujara 2, Dhawan 10) That wasnt what India needed from their anchor. From the penultimate ball of the over Pujara gets himself into a right tangle with a Woakes short ball, first planning to play it, then planning to leave it, then trying to play it again, and ending up almost head-butting his wafting blade.
4.24pm BST
Woakes replaces Broad, but it might be Broad who has taken a wicket. A very sharp single is taken to Broad at mid-on. He charges in a bowls under-arm stumpwards. This looks out to me the third umpire takes a very, very long look at it. And it is indeed out. A great bit of fielding from Broad. A dismal bit of running from Vijay.
4.21pm BST
11th over: India 26-0 (Vijay 12, Dhawan 9) Good pace from Anderson but again he struggles to make Vijay play at more than a couple. Might be time for a rest.
4.16pm BST
10th over: India 24-0 (Vijay 11, Dhawan 9) A huge appeal as Vijay shoulders arms and is slapped on the back pad by an inswinger. That looked close but Rod Tucker said no. Had he the option, Broad (needless to say) wouldve reviewed it but it wouldve been a wasted review. The ball was missing off stump by an inch.
Re: Mark Turners comments, beings Dave Adams. Ive made some particularly hurtful statements about Cook as a captain on the OBO in recent times, and would just like to say, in the light of this improved England performance, that I stand by every bile-drenched word of it.
4.10pm BST
9th over: India 20-0 (Vijay 8, Dhawan 8) Anderson is bowling some beautiful stuff outside off slanting in, then angling away from around the wicket, but just a little too wide to disturb Dhawan.
4.07pm BST
8th over: India 19-0 (Vijay 8, Dhawan 7) Vijay tickles Broad fine for four and the first runs since the mesolithic.
Would love to see Woakes come to the party (copyright Duncan Fletcher) and bag a few wickets this innings, writes Gareth Fitzgerald. I dont understand how he is so maligned by some. He bowled well in the first innings without reward. Hea still a slightly odd pick for me, but two or three wickets over the next 24 hours will be enough to bring me round.
4.03pm BST
7th over: India 13-0 (Vijay 2, Dhawan 7) Anderson gets another six balls at Dhawan, who is saved by a thick inside edge as one delivery slams into his front pad. Another maiden, the fourth on the bounce.
4.01pm BST
6th over: India 13-0 (Vijay 2, Dhawan 7) Vijay gets himself into a bit of a tangle with a couple of short snorters from Broad, but he neither feathers the first behind nor plops the second to the man at short leg. Another maiden.
3.59pm BST
6th over: India 13-0 (Vijay 2, Dhawan 7) Vijay gets himself into a bit of a tangle with a couple of short snorters from Broad, but he neither feathers the first behind nor plops the second to the man at short leg. Another maiden.
Those whove been lining up to lambast Cook the captain (rather than Cook the batsman) these last few days are likely to be strangely quiet now, writes Mark Turner. That 205 from 40 (and a bit) overs after non-enforcement was smart strategy, full stop no arguments.
3.55pm BST
5th over: India 13-0 (Vijay 2, Dhawan 7) Anderson has dismissed Dhawan three times in Tests, more than any other bowler. And each one has been a catch to the keeper or slip cordon. He leaves alone nicely enough here though. A maiden.
3.51pm BST
4th over: India 13-0 (Vijay 2, Dhawan 7) Broad strays to Dhawans pads on a couple of occasions and the batsmen picks up a couple and a single. And the last ball of the over disappears for four leg byes. Still, Anderson will get a first chance to bowl at his bunny.
A few people are suggesting this approach:
Dhawan should just pretend it's Cardiff in the CT and blaze away. Softly softly isn't going to work for him. #EngvInd
3.47pm BST
3rd over: India 6-0 (Vijay 2, Dhawan 4) Vijay misses out on a full ball on middle stump, pinging the thing straight to the man at midwicket. He bobs and weaves the remainder. Ita Anderson v Vijay and Broad v Dhawan here early on England would quite like those pairings mixed up.
3.43pm BST
2nd over: India 6-0 (Vijay 2, Dhawan 4) Dhawan pounces on a Broad loosener and creams it through the covers for four of the best. Dhawan looks to play inside the line with the remainder, and squirts the last away all along the ground to fourth slip.
@John_Ashdown I predict India to be skittles tonight and a Kevin Keegan style rant against English media from Captain Cook. #loveit
3.38pm BST
1st over: India 2-0 (Vijay 2, Dhawan 0) Vijay gets off the mark with a worryingly uppish straight drive that Anderson gets the tips of the tips of his fingers to. The next is a beauty that beats the outside edge. If India are to get themselves out of this hole then you imagine theyll need Vijay to bat deep into tomorrow. That over wont have raised Indias hopes in any way.
3.32pm BST
Englands players are limbering up on the outfield, with Jos Buttler in particular being contorted into a variety of painful positions. Theyll have 44 overs at India this evening I believe.
3.26pm BST
Afternoon all. John Ashdown here, with Vithushan heading off for a well-earned graze at deep-midwicket. India are chasing 445 to win, but in truth their only aim is to bat for four sessions.
3.14pm BST
Root swings across the line and is bowled by thats the declaration.
India need 445 to win
3.10pm BST
40th over: England 196-3 (Cook 65, Root 52) - lead of 435
Root-scoop to the first ball and then a cleared front leg and slap down the ground brings Rooteh successive boundaries. He then steps away to the leg side and slaps straight down the ground, bring up a fine fifty from just 38 balls.
3.07pm BST
39th over: England 182-3 (Cook 64, Root 39) - lead of 421
Cook throws his hands at a few and doesnt register much but some singles. Should blame his high-middled bat - perfect for his standard game, but not for some slaps.
3.03pm BST
38th over: England 177-3 (Cook 61, Root 38) - lead of 417
Cook steps across to Kumar and hoiks him behind square, where Pankaj Singh fields the ball and then falls arse over tit, allowing three runs. Theres a noise later on as Cook swings at one which goes between bat and pad, but it turns out to be the ball brushing of his back leg. A full ball is then slapped behind point to the boundary rider.
India's highest successful run chase in England is 174/6 at Lords in 1971 #EngvInd
2.56pm BST
37th over: England 168-3 (Cook 57, Rooy 33) - lead of 407
Shami on at this end and Cook pulls, albeit out of time, for a single. Root has a swipe at a wide one but misses, before Shami closes out the over with a length ball that Root pings into the gap at midwicket for four.
2.51pm BST
36th over: England 163-3 (Cook 56, Root 29) - lead of 402
Kumar into the attack after drinks. Dhonis up to the stumps for Root and back for Cook, who finds the man in the deep with a cut shot. Two runs from the over. Heres James McKerney:
2.48pm BST
Kerry Davies sets things straight. The serious point to light hearted banter about run rates and speed of scoring is that in the grand scheme of things it is not the prime purpose.
Yes it would be useful but Cook needs to give the bowlers a breather otherwise they would have been asked to follow a hot and tiring day in the field with the very thing that destroyed the Indian attack, a second day.
2.45pm BST
Martin Laidler is wary:
As England have a recent poor record of cleaning up the tail and havent took 20 wickets regularly for a long time, I would hate to look back at this session when India claw a draw tomorrow and wonder if we could have pushed on quicker and left more time to bowl this Indian side out. As we are 1-0 down in the series and have been in the ascendancy all game, a draw would be massive body blow. Hence the need for a little urgency.
2.42pm BST
35th over: England 161-3 (Cook 55, Root 28) - lead of 400
Root the recipient of more filth, this time from Jadeja, which he again hits through square leg for four. Root is then square up by a devilish ball, which turns and bounces past the outside edge and beyond Dhoni for four byes. Now Cook pings a sweep for four. Quality few overs from Englands perspective.
2.38pm BST
34th over: England 148-3 (Cook 51, Root 23) - lead of 387
Horror ball first up from Sharma which Root hits around the corner for four. He then pushes the outfielders well and gets two. Another shoddy delivery, this time outside off stump, is smoked through the covers for another boundary.
2.35pm BST
33rd over: England 137-3 (Cook 51, Root 12) - lead of 376
More strike swapping, before Cook sweeps hard and Shami can only parry the ball into the sponge. He moves to his second half century of the match, this one off 93 balls, with five boundaries.
2.33pm BST
32nd over: England 131-3 (Cook 47, Root 11) - lead of 371
Rohit Sharma into the attack and Cook and Root exchange the strike with cuts, whips and pulls (ooo err). Meanwhile, Martin Hamilton lays down the law:
Fan in the crowd shouts "Get on with it" as Cook leaves a couple outside off stump.
2.28pm BST
31st over: England 127-3 (Cook 44, Root 9) - lead 366
Root works one with his wrists to square leg for a single, before Cook fails to get anything worthwhile on a big sweep. He gets more on the next attempt, to the last ball of the over, which goes for two.
2.25pm BST
30th over: England 124-3 (Cook 42, Root 8) - lead of 363
Looked like these two were just dealing in singles until Root punches nicely off the back foot for three. Then Cook, also back, somehow evades the two gullies with an uncontrolled thick edge.
2.20pm BST
29th over: England 117-3 (Cook 39, Root 4) - lead of 356
Cook tickles one fine of leg slip and gets a four. Jadeja fires one in and Cook, more or less, just pads it away.
2.16pm BST
28th over: England 112-3 (Cook 35, Root 2) - lead of 351
Root is off his hip for a single before Cook bunts a few back to the bowler. He skews one to deep point for one and Root is tested with some short stuff. Rolled wrists on the final ball gives him the strike.
2.11pm BST
27th over: England 109-3 (Cook 34, Root 1)
With all due respect to Rooteh, it was a bit of a shame seeing him walk out after Bell dismissal. Surely a great time to promote either Jos Buttler or Chris Jordan? Hes off the mark second ball, playing Jadeja inside out for a single into the offside. Cook sweeps hard and hits the ball through a forward square-leg. There are shouts of catch it, but it looks like it just fell short. Perhaps a gun fielder would have dived forward, having judged the dip quicker. Shami is by no means that gun fielder.
2.08pm BST
Bell tries to sweep a full ball just outside leg stump which turns and might have even caught a bit of pad, before going onto his stumps.
2.05pm BST
26th over: England 106-2 (Cook 32, Bell 23) - lead of 345
Bell doesnt time this one, but he does get it over the infield and trickling to the extra cover boundary for four. Hes not quite on the next one, either, which he lobs high to the legside for a couple.
Some thoughts on Kallis written in 2010. They stand up today I reckon http://t.co/EVekMqXEJD We'll miss him now he's gone @Vitu_E
2.03pm BST
And thats the real quiz...
As a 22 year old who has only ever seen video footage of Sobers, Botham etc, I would certainly say Kallis is up there, says Michael Ivory.
2.00pm BST
A fine Kallis story from our own Nick Miller:
Other than him being brilliant and all that, my favourite Kallis story is when South Africa were training by running on a beach somewhere. Kallis found it hard-going, so he asked (I think) Mark Boucher: Man, this is tough. What altitude are we at?
2.00pm BST
25th over: England 99-2 (Cook 32, Bell 16) - lead of 338
A sweep takes Cook off strike again, as he goes against the heavy offside field (7-2) by walking across and reaching for the ball. Bell then reverse sweeps in a watchful manner to guide a slower ball behind square leg for another single.
1.57pm BST
24th over: England 97-2 (Cook 31, Bell 15) - lead of 336
Areas from Singh, as he arcs a good length away singer at Bell, who follows it. Bell nearly chops on the next ball, which is a fraction short but on a decent line. Bell then attempts to drive him on the up but doesnt time it as it bounces once on the way to mid off. Maiden.
Kallis retiring = another excuse to admire, enjoy and be intimidated by this photo pic.twitter.com/CbPwV9E6C9
1.52pm BST
23rd over: England 97-2 (Cook 31, Bell 15) - lead of 336
Cook gets Bell on strike to Jadeja, who looks to recreate the first innings mauling with a dance down the wicket and four down the ground. A single to mid off brings Cook on strike for two dots.
1.48pm BST
22nd over: England 91-2 (Cook 30, Bell 10) - lead of 330
Bell with his first few runs and a four - a pull shot through midwicket, as Singh drops short. The line is better but the length is not, as Bell times him through the covers for another boundary.
1.44pm BST
21st over: England 80-2 (Cook 29, Bell 0) - lead of 319
Just one ball to finish off from this over - Ballances dismissal led into lunch. Its kept out easily by Bell, who pushes it to short leg. Pankaj Singh taking over from the other end.
1.41pm BST
Just before the second session gets underway, heres Patrick Phillips with his thoughts on where Kallis ranks, with an anecdote from The Oval:
During a Rest of the World Test at the Oval years ago, I learnt during the tea interval that Sobers was batting with Pollock G. I shortened my 4.30pm meeting to a couple of minutes and raced to the Oval. That evening and the following morning I saw both score a century.
1.39pm BST
The first few tributes are in...
1 - Jacques Kallis is the only player to score 20,000+ runs and take 500+ wickets in international cricket. Legacy. pic.twitter.com/T6nd8Nx72R
Arguably the greatest ever cricketer retires...cricket will miss you, @jacqueskallis75!
He scored runs for fun, swung it both ways, could hit you in the head and had hands like buckets. Congrats @jacqueskallis75 #TheBest
1.31pm BST
Jaques Kallis, nickname Bungalow - nothing upstairs. And that one is from the teammates that like him, writes Joseph Matthews.
"The Gary Sobers of our generation" Rahul Dravid pays tribute to Jacques Kallis who has announced his international retirement
1.20pm BST
It has happened - the South African allrounder has decided to call it a day. He leaves the international game with 25,534 runs, 577 wickets and a new head of hair.
I realised in Sri Lanka that my dream of playing in a World Cup was a bridge too far, said Kallis in a statement. I just knew on that tour that I was done. The squad that was in Sri Lanka is an amazing one and I believe they have a good chance of bringing the trophy home in March.
1.04pm BST
Some Cook defence from David Kelsey to munch on in the lunch break:
Why all the Cook negativity now? England have batted well, bowled well and, whisper it, have been well captained on the whole. Theyre now well out of the blocks to put pressure on India and will declare with a lead of 475 just before tea. Buttler in at 5.
1.02pm BST
Poor decision as Ballance lunges forward but gets no bat on a turning ball, which then plops into the hands of short leg.
And thats lunch!
12.59pm BST
20th over: England 80-1 (Cook 29, Ballance 28) - lead of 319
Vijay replacing Jadeja and Ballance clears his front leg and thick edges over point for just one. Little else, as Cook tries and fails with a late cut.
@Vitu_E cook will only declare once the draw is secured & somebody has an unnecessary century. Probably lunch on day 5
12.57pm BST
19th over: England 79-1 (Cook 29, Ballance 37) - lead of 318
Cook fails to paddle sweep before finally getting a cut through the infield, only for it to find the boundary sweeper. Its just a single and allows Ballance the strike to slap through a half-volley from the rough, out to offside boundary for four.
12.53pm BST
18th over: England 73-1 (Cook 28, Ballance 32)
Nice reverse sweep from Ballance goes for four. A single is smothered into the leg side as the rough gives each delivery a bit of kick. An LBW appeal goes up, having hit Cook outside the line. Cook sweeps for a single.
12.50pm BST
Josh Nail starts off todays #DeclarationSpeculation
What total do you think Cook will be comfortable with before he declares? 600? 700? 1200? I predict hell wait for someone to get a meaningless century before declaring with 15 minutes to go in the day, leaving just enough time to take 9 wickets. Just a funny feeling I have
12.49pm BST
17th over: England 67-1 (Cook 27, Ballance 27) - lead of 206
Cook rocks back and cuts, twice, only to find Murali Vijay at a deep-ish gully on both occasions. Sharp turn for Sharma has Dhoni taking one, which pitched in the rough, off the square. Another cut finds Vijay before he steals a single into the legside. Ballance gets just one from a long-hop thanks to a man in the deep.
12.47pm BST
16th over: England 65-1 (Cook 26, Ballance 26)- lead of 304
Ravi Jadeja over the wicket to Ballance, going up with a naff appeal for LBW which had nothing going for it. Cook and Ballance take singles around the corner.
12.45pm BST
Daniel Roff evokes the glory of Tim Flowers:
On the subject of emotional sporting moments, it looks like the England players in this match have taken a leaf out of the Tim Flowers book of bottle, as demonstrated at 30min28secs here...
12.43pm BST
15th over: England 62-1 (Cook 24, Ballance 25) - lead of 301
Rohit Sharma into the attack and Cook tucks off his pad. Ballance then sweeps fine, as Shami comes around and stops it, old-school with his feet. The fifth ball is walloped for six, as he clears his front leg, comes inside the line and hits over long-off. Glorious.
12.38pm BST
14th over: England 53-1 (Cook 23, Ballance 17) - lead of 292
Really nice from Cook as he whips Shami through midwicket for four. A two is aborted because of sharp Indian work in the deep, which almost has Ballance in trouble as he slips on the lush green grass just off the pitch. Fine shot down the ground from Ballance, hitting Shami straight and on the up for four.
12.34pm BST
13th over: England 44-1 (Cook 18, Ballance 13)
Another single stolen. Ballance then squares himself up like a cat thats just been started by a firecracker (so Ive heard....). Back to back fours more than make up for the ugliness - tucked through square leg and punched down the ground.
12.29pm BST
12th over: England 33-1 (Cook 17, Ballance 3)
A guided four from Cook has Strauss saluting the England captains one day game. Nothing like the good old English deflection to strike fear in the hearts of the watching world. A single is scampered off the final ball. Better.
12.24pm BST
11th over: England 28-1 (Cook 12, Ballance 3)
Cook gets a run and then Ballance gets two, as the score rattles on! Run scared, you weak Indian bowlers with your late movement and silly names.
12.20pm BST
10th over: England 25-1 (Cook 11, Ballance 1)
A maiden, what madness. Singhs bowling well, Ballance is having a swing. Seriously, lads, ger on wi it.
12.14pm BST
9th over: England 25-1 (Cook 11, Ballance 1)
Kumar going well in cutting out any width to Cook, who eventually tries to clamp down on one to get it behind point, but cant get it off the square. A thick-edge gets him two to finish off the over.
12.11pm BST
8th over: England 23-1 (Cook 9, Ballance 1)
Good work from Singh, who is into the mid-eighties and getting the ball to outfox Ballance.
12.08pm BST
Not seen this before, but this is great from Niall Mullen:
I love Clive Allen & his dad at the 1982 FA Cup final. When it really meant something...
12.06pm BST
7th over: 23-1 (Cook 9, Ballance 1)
A corker sees Robson off before Ballance, with IMPETUS etched on his forehead, pushes into the offside and is off the mark straight away. Cook then prods outside off. Just leather it, lad.
Cracking delivery from Kumar, but alas the wicket won't count in official records after failing to reach the 87mph minimum pace requirement.
12.03pm BST
Good nut from Kumar starts in at middle and nips to outside of and takes the edge of Robsons bat, through to Dhawan who finally does something. Nice of you to join us, Shihkar...
12.00pm BST
6th over: England 18-0 (Cook 9, Robson 9)
Robbo steals a single but theres little else from the over, as Jos Buttler goes for a hit after signing a few autographs. Range finding, we hope.
@Vitu_E If you can get to The Ageas Bowl tomorrow, £15 (£1 for Under 16s) looks like the bargain of the year - http://t.co/QkLJrAYDVo
11.57am BST
John Coxs favourite emotional sporting moment:
It has to be Lester Piggott winning the Breeders Cup Mile six days into his post-imprisonment comeback, and more to the point his post-race interview with Brough Scott.
11.56am BST
5th over: England 17-0 (Robson 8, Cook 9)
Kumar offering little pace to work with, plus his swing means you cant really hit through the line. Robson gets him away into the offside but just for the one run, before Cook gets one on his hip and tucks one through the fielder at square leg for two.
11.50am BST
4th over: England 14-0 (Robson 7, Cook 7)
A good nut from Singh leaves Cook hanging on the back foot. Hes there for the fifth ball but opens the face of the bat and guides it to four to third man.
11.44am BST
3rd over: England 10-0 (Robson 7, Cook 3)
Smart shot through the offside from Robson goes for three, as Shami does well to reach out a lever and stop the ball right on the cusp of the sponge. Cook steps out and across to Kumar, but only in defence. Hes off the mark with a shot reminiscent of Robsons earlier tuck, for just as many runs.
11.41am BST
2nd over: England 4-0 (Robson 4, Cook 0)
Steady from Singh and Cook, as a maiden is played out with little of note.
11.39am BST
How about a favourite emotional sporting moments thread for today, comes Richard Hattons suggestion for todays game. I feel this is standard OBO fodder. He suggests Derek Redmond - the go-to. Hang on, he also suggests a new-age corker, Burt le Clos...
11.36am BST
1st over: England 4-0 (Robson 4, Cook 0)
Robson is solid in defence and then smart in attack as he plays Kumar square for four through cover-point. Kumar readjusts his length and Robbo is up to the task.
11.32am BST
Right, so Robson and Cook out to the middle. Both can go at a relatively brisk 75+ strike rate, while Ballance is more than capable of giving it a tonk. Perhaps the only change to the order I would make is Buttler up to five. Even then, Jordan can be thrown up the order, too.
Robson to take strike...
11.30am BST
Can we reinvent yesterdays game? asks Michael Sones. Most pompous/pretentious foods beginning with a single letter? For Q I offer quinoa, quince, quails eggs and quorn.
Do your worst.
11.22am BST
Anderson has his 16th five-wicket haul in 97 Tests, as another superbly directed bouncer has Shami swaying and gloving through to Buttler. Alastair Cook has not enforced the follow on. Smart move, me thinks.
11.21am BST
106th over: India 330-9 (Shami 5, Singh 1)
One for the figures, that. Broad manages to go a whole over without bowling at the stumps, as Singh plays and misses at a few and slaps one straight into the earth, for no run.
11.15am BST
105th over: India 330-9 (Shami 5, Singh 1)
Cracking from Anderson, who gets rid of Dhoni before hes able to butcher any extra runs this morning. Pankaj Singh is the number 11 - and my, what a number 11 he is. Hes backing away to the first, swinging loosely at the second and gets off mark with a scuff behind square leg. Cook in danger of complicating things here as he sets up a hook-trap as Shami tries and fails to hit the final ball over the cordon.
11.11am BST
Cracking ball from Anderson seams in and lifts on Dhoni, who is late on a pull and gets nothing but fists to the ball, which lops safely into the hands of Buttler.
11.09am BST
Given Englands position in this five Test series, Robert Moore feels the follow-on is a must.
If we were 1-0 up in the series I think not enforcing the follow up would be the obvious choice. But surely with us 1-0 down and needing to win this game we have to give ourselves the most amount of time we can to get 20 wickets which means sticking them in again. If it backfires and we end up having to bat a tricky fourth innings then so be it.
11.09am BST
104th over: India 329-8 (Dhoni 50, Shami 5)
Broad is back of a length and into the body of Shami, who takes his hand off the bat and dabs it into the off side. Shami then stays leg side of the next ball - full, bit of in-nip - and its pushed through the offside for just a single. Dhoni charges one and then is happy to take the single into a deserted legside ring, entrusting Shami with the last two deliveries. Broad goes for the body again but its byes down the legside. Shami wants one, Dhoni declines.
11.05am BST
Dr Nicholas Clark gives us a third opinion:
If they dont get the runs then it will be early in the day when our bowlers should still be fresh from their overnight rest. If we dont enforce the follow on then timing the declaration is difficult. We really need to win this game as the best option is to back our batsman to chase down the 150-200 that we should need to get. If they get much more than that we are knackered anyway and the game should end in a draw.
11.04am BST
103rd over: India 323-8 (Dhoni 50, Shami 4)
Flicky-wristed fend to the first ball as the camera pans out and shows point making his way to the boundary. Wonder whether Dhoni will take the single to the man. A couple of outswingers are left, an inducker is smothered. The field come in for the final two balls and Dhoni charges and misses a wide one. Not sure whether thats smart or not, but the final ball is speared down the leg side and Buttler stops it superbly. No bye, no wides, no boundary and Mohammed Shami on strike to Broad.
11.00am BST
Philipp Lohan comes to the OBO parish seeking advice from the masses, as Dhoni and Shami make their way to the middle:
At what state in todays play, I should decide to head down to Southampton for Day 5? Would only take the risk of skiving off work for a properly good/enthralling/exciting day ahead. Any suggestions?
10.54am BST
Dave Espley is a no:
Definitely no to the follow-on. When a team gets close to avoiding it, if you put them in again, you run the risk of them getting a big score second time round (which certainly isnt beyond this Indian team) and leaving you an awkward target. Id not be confident about England chasing any target, let alone an awkward one.
10.53am BST
Daniel Beckell has a cunning