The numbers behind England’s second-Test defeat against India

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News Desk
February 16, 2021

England suffered a 317-run defeat on the fourth day of the second Test against India in Chennai.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the key numbers from a result which leaves the four-match series tied at 1-1.

317

England v India — Roger Binny watches Derek Pringle walk back after taking his wicket during the second day of the second Test at Headingley in 1986 (PA)

The margin of defeat was England’s heaviest by runs against India, eclipsing the 279-run defeat at Headingley in 1986. England’s heaviest defeat by runs against all opposition came in 1934, when they lost by 562 runs to Australia at The Oval. Sir Donald Bradman scored 244 and Bill Ponsford 266 as the pair put on 451 for the second wicket as the tourists made 701 in their first innings.

300

STAT ALERT: This is the first time England have been bowled out twice in a Test for an aggregate of fewer than 300 runs since 1995 (147 & 89 v WI, Edgbaston). First time away from home since Feb 1984 (82 & 93 v NZ, Christchurch). Full list: https://t.co/PDigecGS8B #INDvENG

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) February 16, 2021

Scores of 134 and 164 in Chennai meant England were bowled out twice in a Test for an aggregate of fewer than 300 runs for the first time since 1995. On that occasion they were dismissed for 147 and 89 by the West Indies at Edgbaston. The last time it happened away from home was in 1984 in New Zealand when they were skittled for just 82 and 93 in Christchurch.

17

I can’t express how I feel right now, but I am so very grateful to each and everyone who has wished me over the last few days. I would also like to thank the #KnowledgableChennaiCrowd for turning up in numbers and making me feel like a hero. 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/VXEgC0GU2D

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 16, 2021

England lost 17 of their 20 wickets to spin, with Ravichandran Ashwin taking eight of them and Axar Patel grabbing seven. However, England’s spinners took 15 and the difference between the sides was how the batsmen coped with an undoubtedly testing surface. Rohit Sharma made a brilliant 161 in the first innings and Ashwin 106 in the second, while no England batsmen was able to make a half-century.

2nd

ICYMI: 2⃣1⃣-5⃣-6⃣0⃣-5⃣! 👌👌

Playing his first Test, @akshar2026 scalped five wickets in the second innings of the 2nd @Paytm #INDvENG Test. 👏👏 #TeamIndia

Watch his impressive performance with the ball 🎥👇https://t.co/D8Vk4QrQYF pic.twitter.com/o8pig877mW

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 16, 2021

Patel is only the second left-arm spinner to take a five-wicket haul on his Test debut against England since Australia’s Jack Saunders did so in 1902. The other was Alf Valentine for West Indies in 1950.