Babbling Brook and the Bazball boys will be eminently hateable this summer

England’s display in the Test classic against India was appalling, and unsportsmanlike, writes Peter Jenkins. It just makes the upcoming Ashes more appealing.

Oh England, how we’re going to love to hate you this summer.

Churlish dummy spits from the Bazball boys as India mounted one of the most remarkable last day resistance efforts in the history of Test cricket overnight on Sunday will only serve to heighten the rivalry and emotions around the forthcoming Ashes series Down Under.

Consider these circumstances. India go into bat a second time trailing England by 311 on the first innings in the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. They have five sessions to survive for a draw – and lose two wickets in the first over. Disaster. India two for none, game over … or is it?

For the best part of the next two days India dig in, lose just two wickets and pour on 425 runs. Skipper Shubman Gill and spinning all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar all make centuries.

England captain Ben Stokes goes to shake hands with India batsman Ravindra Jadeja with 15 overs of the day remaining during day five.

Remarkable. An effort for the ages. One to be celebrated, heartily applauded. Unless you’re an England Test cricketer.

Realising the jig was up, England wanted to end the game and declare the draw with 15 overs to go. Jadeja and Sundar, who was chasing his first Test hundred, were both in sight of three figures.

India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates after scoring a century.

India declined the offer to call it quits. Quite rightly they felt Jadeja and Sundar had earned the right to complete memorable career achievements.

The petulance that poured from England was petty. It was appalling, and unsportsmanlike. Their Captain Marvel Ben Stokes gave up bowling his frontline guys and tossed the ball to Harry Brook to serve up lollipops.

“You’re going to get a Test hundred against Harry Brook?” Stokes taunted Jadeja.

To his credit, Jadeja did. And by the way Captain Marvel, he didn’t get a century against Harry Brook. He got it against your entire attack.

Even worse, England failed to clap the Jadeja ton.

England fielder Harry Brook laughs as he shines the ball.

Brook, aptly named given the way he babbled away as England’s chief sledger throughout the innings, then tried to end the game again as Jadeja raised his arms.

Brook walked towards Sundar with his right hand outstretched. Sundar ignored him – well played sir – then went on to make his own breakthrough hundred.

Ten overs from the end India did accept an early finish. A courageous draw. Jadeja and Sundar walking off filled with pride. England departing with the sulks.

Tellingly, former England captains Nasser Hussain and Mike Atherton defended the decision by India to keep batting.

So bring on the Ashes, and Captain Marvel’s men, including the Babbling Brook.

Originally published as Babbling Brook and the Bazball boys will be eminently hateable this summer