Test Match Special - Day 3: Broad on the cusp of 500 wickets as England have victory in sight

Episode Date: July 26, 2020

Jonathan Agnew presents from Old Trafford where England are on the verge of a series win over West Indies following the third day of the deciding Test. Stuart Broad’s six wickets across two innings have not only brought Joe Root’s side close to victory but also left the bowler just one away from 500 career Test wickets. His four in four overs had the tourists 197 all out, 172 behind. England later declared on 226-2 with Rory Burns hitting 90 and Dom Sibley and Root scoring 56 and 68 respectively to set Jason Holder’s side a target of 399. But thanks to Broad's efforts with the ball, the tourists finished on 10-2 in their second innings at the close. Aggers, Michael Vaughan and Carlos Brathwaite discuss the action while Simon Mann gets the thoughts of Burns and Roston Chase. There’s also an interview with Surrey chief Executive Rchard Gould and a Surrey fan as the Oval held the first sporting event in England with a crowd since lockdown began.

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Welcome to the Test Match Special podcast From Emirates Old Trafford To come, we'll have the thoughts of Carlos Brathwaite And Michael Vaughan on the third day's play We'll hear from Rory Burns and Ross and Chase And we'll find out how the first cricket with a crowd Since lockdown has gone down at the Oval This is the TMS podcast

From BBC Radio 5 live So we'll start our review of the third day of the third and final test match between England and West Indies the applause you hear as for the players walking off with West Indies in real trouble. They're 10 for two. Both wickets

have fallen to Stuart Broad who will resume tomorrow weather permitting on 499 wickets. He ran in there like a man possessed trying to get his 500th this evening. He came very close on a couple of occasions but he'll come back tomorrow

and all being well Although the forecast is really poor. Hopefully he'll get enough play. And he's getting a big fist pump there from Chris Silverwood, who was probably the decision as well to drop him earlier on the series, of which we know Stuart Royal wasn't very pleased about. And he's just responded so brilliantly. He's had a great day.

He's taking six wickets today. He took four for 14 when eventually he came on to bowl. That was all a bit odd because neither he nor James Anderson bowled at the time when West Indies resumed today, wanting 33 to avoid the follow-on and neither of those two bold at least not until it became too late and instead Archer and Wokes

bold but brought to 4 for 14 to finish as 6 for 31 from 14 overs West Indies bowled out for 197 so that gave England lead of 172 a slow start between Sibley and Burns who we're going to hear from now they put on 114 for the first wicket Rory Burns

finished with 91 and he's talking to Simon Mann. Thanks very much, Jonathan. Well, plenty to talk about Rory. First things first, were you conscious in those last few minutes there that Stuart Brawl was pushing for his 500th test wicket?

Yeah, I think Sibb's noticed it in the slips there. He was on 497 to start and obviously two pretty quickly there, so he's 499 now, so yeah, we're slightly conscious of it. Yeah, what about the day that you've had? I mean, it didn't start particularly well. I mean, was the thought about the follow-on this morning?

I don't think so. I know. There's obviously some weather around. sort of things we probably didn't quite hit our straps in those first 40 minutes but the way we came back in that sort of second hour and the way we bowed there to dismiss them how we did I think was a really good performance in him

what would you be like to face Stuart Broadly? I mean you're an opening batsman and he's taken six wickets today for hardly anything at all what do we like for you to face him do you think? Well he likes a left hander doesn't he so probably quite tricky for me but yeah he's obviously in a great rhythm at the moment he's bowling

very well and it's tough work and it always is tough work up the top and it's even tough I was bowling. Yeah. When he went out, what was the plan when he went out just before lunch today? I think we were just going to, as in our batting, sorry. Yeah. Yeah, we were just trying to bat.

Normally set a good foundation, me and Sib, obviously, and see where we got to. I don't think there was much thought of later in the game with, you know, game situations how they dictate and play out sometimes that happens. We obviously know there's a bit of weather around potentially tomorrow, so, you know, we're looking to try and get quick runs there towards the back end. And obviously, probably showed in some of the shot selection. from us yeah at what point did you think declaration tonight well a skipper had a word with me at tea so we kind of knew that we were heading that way so it's just about being busy proactive in that first hour after tea and then how we eventually got and how really played when he came in

yeah we're just sort of that was probably the point we're trying to nudge it on yeah it's unusual for a team to declare with over two days left of a test match setting aside under 400 to win but the weather was the big factor there was it? Yeah, definitely. I think there's a little bit about. So obviously it's let us get two poles tonight, which is obviously in a good position. So eight wickets, hopefully when we get back out there to win a game and win a series. What about your own innings? I mean, it's not often as well. You have to really go for it in the 90s. How long were you given for the chance of getting 100? I think I might have got another over if I got past it. But yeah, I think

the best position that sets up to win a game of cricket for us is a good one. I wasn't too concerned about getting night in. There you go. Yeah. It's nice to get a test hundred though, isn't it? It's always nice to get a test hundred, but it's always nice to get a test win. So, yeah, it was obviously nice to get in the position to be able to, but hopefully we win the game, win the series. What was it like batting with the skipper there towards the end?

I mean, he was hitting it really cleanly. Yeah, I don't think if you asked him, he'd probably think the same thing. I thought he'd hit in it quite nicely, but he kept saying he was plinking it. So I thought he'd play very nicely. Obviously, score overrunner ball and that, I think. he's done a very good job. And eight wickets to go to win the series. Do you feel you might have to wait a bit of time?

Potentially, we'll see what happens with the weather. Obviously, I can't predict it all that well, but see where we get to and hopefully we get those eight wickets tomorrow. Well played, Rory. Thanks very much your time. Cheers, thanks. Rory Burns. Thanks, Simon Mann.

Yes, he mentioned Stuart Broadly. He's taken six of 22 today. Fourth morning, another couple there. And all being well, he'll get the chance to get his 500th at some stage tomorrow. meeting. Everyone keeps talking about the weather and it doesn't look very good but anyway confirmation there that that was why England chose to declare and well it'd pay dividends isn't it with those those two wickets. Michael Vaughan is here and so's two is Carlos Brathwaite

well how do you assess the way England went about today Michael? I guess you could say they should have started with Broaden Anderson I personally would have done this morning to try and enforce the follow on that's not the case you can't you can't take away the fact that Stuart Broad's had an incredible day with a bat in hand. Could Rory Burns and Dom Sible have been a bit more proactive, I guess so? But, you know, it's a long game test match cricket, and you always catch up. Joe Root came out there and brought impetus and brought life to Rory Burns. I thought he played some tremendous strokes against the spin.

You know, when you get two late ones, it justifies pretty much everything that the England side has done. I mean, Stuart Broad, I've just done it on television. He's both 36 overs in the series. He's got 12 maidens. He's got 14 for 83. 14 wickets for 83 in the series. And when you see bowlers running like that with a little bit of nibble, it's almost impossible as a batting unit,

particularly a batting unit like the Westerners have, go back a year to the ashes. Like I said, David Warner couldn't cope. He's an incredible player. So how's John Campbell going to cope against that kind of pace, skill, just relentless kind of testing of your mentality, your technique? if we get half a day tomorrow I think it's all over Red Rover

I just think the Westiners have tried so hard in this series they've given it everything but in the last two weeks in particular it just feels like they've been jabbed and they've been jabbed and they've been jabbed and eventually you can't do anything you end up falling over and it just feels like this last innings

might be just the final hurdle for them I think there'll be a high level of disappointment in that dressing room Carlos I mean going back to the first test and the win there and so on and the talk of winning the series it doesn't look

as if that's going to be likely now. Yeah. Yeah. Just been outskilled. I mentioned it yesterday and as soon as they had to deviate away from that plan, A, down the channel,

be patient, be consistent. They've been found lacking, they've been from wanting, and you can just see the demeanor of both teams. That 300 target is so mentally shattering for West Indies and England know they just need 300

so they would have come up today, batted long enough knowing they only need 80 overs and anything above 300 the West Indies basically know they're against it they probably won't get it so they'll lack of urgency getting build a foundation let's see what we get you just want to see in series to come that West Indies batting line up with one or two persons trying to push the average a lot closer to 50

the team as a whole trying to get a 300 and 350 on a more consistent basis it then gives the captain more confidence in the field as soon as the teams get to 260 to 70 Jason Holder starts to retreat and it's not because he doesn't have faith in the bowlers he doesn't have faith in his plans but he knows that if the team that is in batting gets away best in these can get past 300 on a consistent basis

so the batting unit because of the constant failures of putting pressure on the captain and the bowling attack It was beautifully set up in Southampton. England got a shout out for 200 odd. You could get your customary to 80 to 90, 300 and set the game up beautifully. It wouldn't always be that easy.

They need to find ways to get up to 300, 350 on a more consistent basis to ease the captain. It was one of those days for West Indus Tuesday. Darach's got a horrible one in the mouth. There were substitutes coming and going, a hold of damage his thumb. It just had a bit of a feel.

The game was kind of just going away from them today. Yeah, but that was after this morning. as soon as Westin's got back into the field you know it's only a matter of time before he declared only a matter time before West Indies get bowled out they would be there praying, sitting and praying for rain but you can also look at it the other way

there's someone in that dressing room with the potential to get a test century whether it be tomorrow, whether it be on the last day and it could be a career defining innings so you can look at the doom and gloom the last two test matches have been horrible as a team for the West Indies We sat here on day, I think, three of the second test.

And we're just saying, you're one century away from, join this game, potentially leveling the series, you're taking the trophy back home, and fast forward a weekend some, and we're talking about how quickly the game will be over, potentially with a day to spear. So someone in that address room needs to put the hand up, bat out a session, get past the elder statesman in Anderson and Broad, then put some pressure on walks and archery.

They're very good bowlers in the own right. but you can't keep seeing all spell after spell after spell and not scoring. You're finding guys batting 50 and 60 balls for 10 runs. That's not the rest in the way. If Craig Brathwick does it, then fine. Shea Hope is an expressive batsman. John Campbell, he's gone now, but he's an expressive batsman.

Shramar Brooks is an expressive batsman as well. As you go down the line-up, you're finding guys who are positive in the stroke play. If you start to worry about not getting out, you eventually do have one with your name on it, one jaggs back. Ross and Chase has fell foul to that throughout the series. He's coming, no tempo to his innings, no rhythm. He's not putting pressure on anyone.

You think back to your first test in Southampton, Dominic Best, just jogged up, lobbed up some half-volleys and he blocked them, trying to back time, hoping he'll get a score. You don't get anything in test cricket. You need to work for it. You need to go out there. You need to put pressure back on the bowlers, make them think, and they want to see some impetus, some intent from that batting unit. when lose or draw tomorrow or the fifth day

someone needs to put the hands up stand up as a leader that batting unit and they need to take the lessons from these three tests and take it moving forward and all talks with Stuart Broad isn't it overnight and into tomorrow remarkable character I think because he's had to

always be around Jimmy Anderson it's always been oh it's Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad you know if you just kind of pinpoint Stewart as an individual you know what he's achieving is remarkable for you know someone that's been in and out of the side of late you know he's been questioned i think over the last two or three years he's had some low moments he's had some dips he's had some kind of moments where his form's not been quite there he's had moments where his rhythm's not been there his pace hasn't been quite right but maybe lockdown's just done the trick for him maybe lockdown had a bit of time on his own maybe just thinking about things getting those you know a few weeks at trent bridge just bowl into cones with a headband on just kind of kind of reassessing where he's at, where he's at in his career, what he wants to achieve. Just maybe lockdown has worked for someone like Stuart Broad. You know, if it's just been that you go to Sri Lanka, you play, you come back and you play a full season,

you know, play a bit of county cricket. Who knows if would have seen this kind of impact that he's had. And, you know, one thing for sure is that he certainly will get his 500s in the next two days. I can't believe that he's not going to get one of the last eight bowl in the way that we've just seen. Well, Carlos mentioned Rosten Chase and the role he may have to play, and he's been speaking to Simon Mann. But Rostin, how do you assess the position of the game out of three days? Yeah, well, obviously, we're a bit behind the eight ball,

and we lost a couple of wickets this evening. But a couple years ago, in Henley, we everyone would disown, and we came and produced a marvelous effort, and we won a test match from behind. So it's nothing that is past us, so we still have to look at it positive and try to come tomorrow. and yet next day and see if you can pull off something special again.

Do you feel you're going to need some help from the weather? Well, if that happens, it'll be a plus, but we're not really studying the weather. We can't control that. We're just studying, going out there and getting each from each ball. When you were bowling this afternoon, did you sense that England were pushing for a declaration this evening?

Yes. When Joruk came out, we saw the intent that he was behind with, so we always thought that it was on the cars, and then finally he did it. So yeah, we had a little chat and we tried to be a little defensive in terms of slowing down the runway.

I thought that they played really well. They used some innovation with the reverse sweeps, kind of changing it into like a one-day game. So well-played to them. Yes, we knew that the declaration was coming. What's this series been like for West Ind? in really unusual circumstances.

What's it been like for you? Yeah, it's been like a seesaw. There's been lots of ups and downs in quick time. One minute, we're on top, next minute, England on top. Then we're back on top. Then they're back on top. It's been an amazing series so far. But it's what we signed up for.

We came here looking for a good series and it is a good series. You must ask you about some of the injuries in your dressing room. Shane Dyerich, you took a blow in the face. What's the situation there? Yeah, I guess. just swerved a bit and it tipped the glove first

and then fall into the face but he's a tough guy, he's already said if need be he'll be able to come out and fight with the bat for the team in this second inning so hopefully we don't need him and hopefully he gets better in time. And your captain took

one on the thumb as well. What about him? Will that affect his batting or is it just part of the game? Yeah that's something small man, he's a warrior just to get over it. Yeah. So a tough haul ahead for you in the last couple of days of this test series what do you sort of give yourselves a chance

of coming out with well at least a share of the Wisden Trophy Yes no easy task at hand but it's just for us to really spend some time in the middle if you take a look at the England players I think that

really starving off in the ball not really getting losing too many wickets to that new ball is very key because that's when the ball tends to really do the most off the wicket when it's hard and new and then batting becomes easy if you look at today once the opener's got to shine off the ball

and batting became very easy for them so it's just for us to do the same thing although we've lost some early wickets it's just for us to come tomorrow two batsmen and the crease to just settle and just rear down the bowlers a bit first and then get into the straight you're listening to the TMS podcast

from BBC Radio There's also been a significant occasion at the Oval today where the crowd allowed to a sporting event in England for the first time since lockdown. 1,000 spectators were allowed at the friendly between Surrey and Middlesex. Kevin Howells was there and he spoke to the Surrey Chief Executive, Richard Gould.

We needed to make sure that people could come in in a comfortable fashion and people were confident about coming. That element of confidence is really important. There's no point putting in event. on if people are unsure that they're going to want to come and when we went to our members and said yeah we can provide ticketing it's free tickets but we need to allocate you in seats to football social distancing we were inundated you know we had our phone rang 10,000 times in the

first hour you know sadly we couldn't answer it that many times because we didn't have enough staff on but that showed you the level of demand and I think government were pleased to hear and know of that demand and that gives everybody confidence that if we can find ways to get these events on then people will come to them this is a friendly match

it's not a proper game but you've got people presumably I don't know how many in number but presumably they are almost like the secret shopper observers looking to see what is being done what do you think they are looking for what could possibly be reported back

that you wouldn't want to be reported about. What do you think of the possible danger areas for this? I'm really confident there's nothing that could be reported back or nothing that's been an issue. And, yeah, no, it's been great. We've had partners from Lambeth Environmental Health. We've had partners from DCMS, from ECB, and we're just very pleased the way that it's gone.

And more importantly, the spectators seem to be very happy. You know, when you do have issues, it's generally your customers that come to you first to say that they're not happy with this or that. So it's been remarkably like a normal cricket match and hopefully that will lead to other things. This is a massive venue, obviously, international sporting venue. You've taken a corner of the ground of which you've got individuals, some individuals sitting there and then there's two seats, a gap between them and somebody else. There may be a small group. What numbers, four, five, six, is that? Yeah, you can book in groups of up to six because that's the kind of the government bubble.

And so we took a block of, we took five blocks that normally occupy around 4,000 seats, working on the guidance that you could probably get about 30% capacity with the distancing. It actually worked out less than that. We were sort of doing 21% capacity because more people were coming in doubles and singles and because you've got to keep two seats either side. It takes up more states. But, yeah, it's work. really nicely and because of the density is quite low in terms of the concourse

areas and the toilets nothing feels overburdened and look this is just a start you know there isn't a there isn't a major venue that could sustainably operate on a 25 to 30 percent capacity for a long time but it's a start it was magical genuinely magical the actual live crowd applauding a bowler's name being a to murder first off this morning. It left a bit of a tingle, to be honest. Yeah, I agree. Even when the umpires came out and they got a lovely warm round of applause

and it did leave a tingle. And, you know, I think for a lot of people, it meant, well, for a lot of us it means a lot because, you know, ECB had done a great job getting the test matches going. But you then realise what it means to people about coming back to their clubs. And for many counties, for the county game, let's talk about the bigger picture of the county game, people coming into the ground, I think it was Tom Harrison, Chief Executive of the ECB on TMS, said it is significant, the financial impact to a club by not having spectators. Because you hear all the talk about broadcast deals and multi-million pounds, all that sort of stuff.

But spectators, in a ground for county cricket, significant. They're hugely significant. For our business model, 10% of our revenue comes from the ECB, therefore largely through sky. 90% of our revenue comes from people coming into the ground. So when in mid-March, people were not allowed to come onto our site, whether it be for cricket or non-match day events, our business stopped. And so, whereas we were hoping to do turnover of 37 million this year, we will be able to be. lucky to do 14 or 15 it's a it's a massive uh change for that for the business and that's what you know it's been the interesting business challenge we've been faced with for the last couple

of months but you look across cricket and indeed all other sports uh the spectator is just so important and it and it also adds value to the broadcaster i mean it's it's been it's been good to be able to watch live sport for the last five six weeks uh behind closed doors but it's it's not the same you know you need that extra dynamic that a crowd provides does that impact on jobs that that massive gulf in what you were expecting what you might be getting oh yes unfortunately so yeah we've been through um we've been unfortunately through a redundancy program over the last month with 20 staff um we've been reducing costs in all sorts of areas in terms of you know pay cuts and all the rest of it and the same as everybody else has been doing um what about playing squads for you

Yeah, playing squads that have been, I think, 16 or 17 of the counties have had to impose pay cuts across the various staffs. Many of the counties have had to take other action to cut costs. So if you're given the thumbs up from today and tomorrow, what can you realistically hope for in terms of people, maybe even what numbers you might realistically hope for? and when you might realistically hope that you'll get a chance to do it again because lots of talk about the T20 being played starting on August of the 27th because you hope that perhaps in a few weeks time

and I don't mean you but the game hopes that maybe crowds could be allowed in then is there a chance that possibly that numbers could because a lot of people love their red ball cricket they would love an opportunity to come and watch something maybe even the Bobwoodist trophy or is that just not going to be possible

No, I think there's a realistic opportunity for that. And I think we always saw, and the ECB always saw these trials as a way of demonstrating that county cricket, first-class cricket, could indeed be the vanguard for all other sports. And delivering 15, 20% capacity crowds could be done in a safe manner and also helps to sustain clubs because we're all members' clubs. member revenues across the game amount to in excess of 10 million pounds

members have been incredibly loyal and if we are able to find ways to get the back even if in small numbers I think that will help enormously for members to think right okay I'm going to leave my money in my club this summer because of the efforts that they've undertaken. The players

Alex Stewart, your director of cricket you've got a new coach Vikram Selanky of course in i mean everybody's had to buy into this things are different how have they responded magnificently you know i mean the players are even washing their own kit so that shows you that shows you how the buy-in is working you know the players have been back in for the last five six seven weeks and you know they get changed by the side of the pitch you know they run in if they need the loo they stay at the dressing room as much as possible they're being very responsible when they're away from the ground um people are buying in

into it because they really want to show their skills and you know this friendly today when you see you know you see what will jacks is doing with the bat earlier on right these are the guys that in essence we're doing it for because these are the guys that in a normal full year this would be their you know another breakthrough year for them you know well Jamie Smith this is what we're doing it for Greg Mumford is a Surrey supporter what's the experience like Greg and how long how long were you on the phone trying to get your ticket the other day it wasn't too bad for me. I managed to get some for a couple of other friends and colleagues as well

so I came on the phone about 11 o'clock and I think I called in about eight times before I managed to get the jingle which meant I was in the queue and then it was pretty quite straightforward so he wasn't too bad experience at all but no I think the days worked out brilliantly actually so tell us about the experience what time did you get here what happened

well we fairly live locally so we were fairly just like it was just a bus journey us journey down and I think we we've emptiedly walked straight in after kind of the ticket check for the gate and I think it's been really kind of a straightforward normal day

at the so you're over I think it's nothing you know although you've still got restrictions around you and there's a constant reminders over the tannoy and on screen that almost it's like we've never been away in some circumstances which has been kind of great

we all know that you know this is a very serious issue. And we also know that quite a lot of people are still very anxious about it. But you've come in here. You want a good fun day. Now, you'll have enjoyed watching Will Jack's bat, I imagine, today. But in terms of the social side of it, how has that

played out today? It's been fine. I mean, we bought, to go and lunch along, but actually drinks-wise, it's been ready for straightforward to get a pint or two. I think we've been actually sort of almost buying rounds in. People sitting socially distanced near us

because of a couple of friends of mine. So, no, it's been like it's been a great day i mean it's been easy enough to get a drink uh everyone's quite quite relaxed we're sitting in the sun and it's there's been a great day watching uh middle sex and surrey it's you know it's like it's never been away we've kind of really missed being at the oval and quickly if if somebody from the government were to say gregg should we do it again your answer is yes definitely but sensibly you know i think that's the main thing it's and i think you said on yesterday on tms that you know it's down to the members to be sensible while we're here to make it sure it happens

later on in the summer. The TMS podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live. You can watch highlights of events at Old Trafford on today at the test on the BBC Eye Player and the website. We're back on air at 1015 for our highlights half hour

and whatever the weather will have plenty to entertain you including a chance to ask questions to Carlos Brathwaite. So email them now if you like to TMS at BBC.co.com. UK or send them via social media using the hashtag Ask Carlos.

BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. Yergan, you're a big fan of the BBC Sounds app. Oh yes, oh yes. Well, we've heard reports that you've been enjoying the Football Daily podcast on him. I loved it. That makes me quite happy, to be honest. Jose, Football Daily is bringing top analysis and comment on BBC Sounds. How do you feel about that?

Of course, it's the best thing in football. Are you a fan, O'I? Yeah, I love that. Wow, this is massive. Pep. Football Daily has some big name. guests. Are you excited to listen? This is a good news for us. The team is really good.

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