After four Test matches, one of the teams generally pulls away decisively or at least proves to be markedly better. But not in this England-India Test series.
After 20 days of incredible fightbacks and drama, there is very little to differentiate between the sides apart from the scoreline which reads 2-1 in England's favour.
It could easily have been 3-0 or 2-2, such have been the margins in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. While it was India who came within touching distance of completing a stunning win in the Lord's Test, England seemed to have the Manchester Test in the bag when they had the visitors 0-2 and trailing by 311 in the second innings.
However, an epic fightback by India over five sessions earned them a respectable draw and an opportunity to square the series in the fifth Test that begins at the Oval on Thursday.
With a short turnaround between the last two matches, both sides will have very little time to draw up plans or run any repairs before getting back on the field. The stakes will be high as all three results will have a big impact on standings in the World Test Championship table.
Will Archer and Bumrah play?
Haven't we been here before? How many matches should pace spearheads Jofra Archer and Jasprit Bumrah play has been a running theme of the five-match series.
Bumrah was pencilled in to play only three out of the five matches, which he has already done. According to India's own plans, Bumrah should not feature in the final match, especially after hurting his ankle in Manchester.
But Mohammad Siraj has played four Tests on the bounce and deserves a rest more than any other Indian bowler. Also, India coach Gautam Gambhir said no decision has been made on Bumrah's participation. Captain Shubman Gill said the decision might be left to Bumrah.
“If he feels like he's fully fit and available for us, I think it would be a great deal for us,” Gill told the BBC.
With India having a decent chance to square the series, which would be a huge result for new captain Gill and the embattled Gambhir who is fighting to save his Test job, the temptation is to play 'Boom'.
However, the signs are not good. Bumrah's pace was down in the fourth Test and he was negotiated fairly comfortably. His ankle issues can only complicate matters and if he tweaks something on the first day, who will pick up the workload?
Ideally, Arshdeep Singh, if fully fit after his hand injury, and Prasidh Krishna should play in place of Bumrah and Siraj as both veterans have been pushed beyond their limit and there are big assignments ahead. But it is never so simple with the Indian team management.
England are facing a similar conundrum. Fast bowler Archer made a stupendous comeback to Test cricket by bowling a match-winning spell in the Lord's Test. He pushed hard in the fourth Test at Old Trafford but was thwarted by centuries from Gill, Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja.
That Archer played successive Tests despite not playing first-class matches over the last four seasons is praiseworthy. However, he is flirting with danger.
The right-arm quick, who has been on the sidelines for much of his recent career due to multiple injuries, is keen to play the final Test and prove his match fitness for the Ashes.
But former seamer Stuart Broad and captain Nasser Hussain believe England will be risking another injury to Archer if they select him for the Oval Test.
“We can't not have Archer for four years, bring him back and then bowl him into the ground and not see him for another four years,” Broad told Sky Sports.
“(Josh) Tongue started the series, and I know he mainly got lower-order players out, but you probably have a natural replacement for Archer.”
Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes have played all four Tests and are due a rest, while captain Ben Stokes bowled in Manchester despite hamstring and shoulder niggles.
England recalled Jamie Overton to the squad, while Gus Atkinson and Tongue are also in contention to play.
“I don't think you can have Archer playing three on the bounce coming back after four years,” former captain Hussain told Sky Sports.
“Atkinson coming back after a long time, and then Stokes with a niggle as three of your four seamers – but I would definitely play Atkinson on his home ground if fit.”
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
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How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
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Winners
Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski
Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea
Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona
Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)
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Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)
Best National Team of the Year: Italy
Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello
Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)
Player Career Award: Ronaldinho
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UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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Kat Wightman's tips on how to create zones in large spaces
- Area carpets or rugs are the easiest way to segregate spaces while also unifying them.
- Lighting can help define areas. Try pendant lighting over dining tables, and side and floor lamps in living areas.
- Keep the colour palette the same in a room, but combine different tones and textures in different zone. A common accent colour dotted throughout the space brings it together.
- Don’t be afraid to use furniture to break up the space. For example, if you have a sofa placed in the middle of the room, a console unit behind it will give good punctuation.
- Use a considered collection of prints and artworks that work together to form a cohesive journey.
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Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
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On sale: from January 2022
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THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
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How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
