Ralph Dellor reports 28-56k

A final day of infinite possibility was set up when England were bowled out in their second innings for 257. The foundation of the total was a century second-wicket partnership between Mark Butcher and Nasser Hussain before a flurry of wickets as batsmen went for quick runs left India requiring 374 to win in a minimum of 97 overs. There could be some tense cricket before this match is consigned to the record books.

So many elements had to be considered in the equation that would have determined a possible declaration by Hussain. The lead, time available, a deteriorating pitch all came into it. So too did the Tendulkar factor. If anyone could render careful calculations useless it is India's master batsman. No wonder the England captain allowed his second innings to run its course.

The day began with England 131 runs in front with ten wickets standing. Six runs had been added to that lead when the first wicket fell, Marcus Trescothick clipping Javagal Srinath to mid-wicket where Shiv Sunder Das got both hands to the catch.

Butcher was not in the best of health, but he bravely battled against both his own discomfort and the strictures imposed by the Indian bowlers. He offered a very difficult return catch to Anil Kumble that was grassed.

Progress was slow as India's two most experienced bowlers, Srinath and Kumble tightened their hold. It was nearly half an hour before Hussain could get off the mark. Having opened the face to tantalise both the 'keeper and slip, this time he steered it down to the third man boundary.

For some reason, Sourav Ganguly kept Harbhajan Singh out of the attack, even when obliged to make a change. Tinu Yohannan came on and figures of 4-0-25-0 tell their own story. The pressure had been released to allow the England second wicket pair to expand their ambition.

Only after lunch, taken at 97 for 1, did the two spinners bowl in tandem. By then, however, the batsmen were set. Butcher reached fifty from 114 balls. The first hundred partnership for the second wicket in Tests on this ground was posted. Hussain gave Ganguly a chance at mid-wicket on which he scarcely laid a hand. When Harbhajan Singh so nearly got through Butcher's defences next ball and then saw Deep Dasgupta drop an edge off the next, it would have taken a hard man not to sympathise with the bowler's almost frightening dismay.

However, it was not long before he had the England captain in his bag. Hussain had just reached fifty when he pushed firmly forward to be taken at short leg. He should probably have departed earlier when padding up to a Kumble googly that would surely have hit. Ian Robinson might apologise to the bowler when he sees the replay. In fact, for his own peace of mind, it might be as well if the umpire misses the replays. He gave Craig White not out when caught off a bat/pad that went to slip off the same bowler.

At the fall of Hussain's wicket, Mark Ramprakash came in, hoisted two sixes off Kumble, and went out, caught on the forty-five off the back of the bat sweeping. Andrew Flintoff struck one four and then played on when attempting to cut Kumble's googly six minutes before tea.

There was still time for Butcher's fine innings to come to an end before the interval. A ball from Harbhajan Singh turned a little but bounced more and Butcher edged to slip – out for a patient 92 when so close to a rest that would no doubt have heralded a century.

White and Michael Vaughan went into their shells after tea. Thirty balls went by before a run came from the bat as the game almost ground to a halt. Hussain had a run and time target in mind, while the bowlers had neither the means nor the inclination to make something happen until there was some compliance from the batsmen.

At the given time, it was mayhem. White was run out before James Foster, Ashley Giles, Richard Dawson and Matthew Hoggard all thrashed catches into the sky or the outfield leaving Vaughan 31 not out. The scene was set.

Das and Dasgupta might not have enjoyed the prospect of seven overs before the close, but they coped admirably with an opening attack of Hoggard and, interestingly, Giles. Dawson had one over, but there were few alarms. There will undoubtedly be some before events are done and dusted on the final day.

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