Jonathan Trott
England's middle order batsmen are the key on the last
day of the final test as they seek a first series victory in
India for 27 years.
The tourists, who lead the series 2-1 and need only draw in
Nagpur to win it, ended the fourth day 165 runs ahead on
161-3, BBC reports.
After India declared in their first innings at 326-9, England
stuttered to 94-3 in their second innings, losing openers
Alastair Cook and Nick Compton and star batsman Kevin
Pietersen.
But Jonathan Trott (66 not out) and Ian Bell (24 no) steadied
the ship for England with a watchful partnership of 67 runs.
The pair will be key if England'are to bat themselves into a
safe position on the fifth day, against an Indian side
desperate to level the series.
Joe Root and Matt Prior, who shared a 103-run partnership in
the first innings, are still to bat, so England should be
confident of staying at the crease long enough to secure the
result they need to match the achievements of their
predecessors in 1984-85.
However, they will also be aware of the dangers a batting
collapse could bring and the threat of an Indian run chase on
a pitch that still offers very little to the bowlers.
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