Cricket hits boiling point at Lord’s – as furious India captain Shubman Gill sends four-word X-rated message to England’s Zak Crawley

The third Test between England and India was left on a knife-edge on Saturday night after a feisty end to day three. 

A late burst from England saw India lose their last four wickets for 11 runs and finish their first-innings level on 387.

England were left with seven minutes to bat but Zak Crawley’s time-wasting, including calling the physio, ensured that only one over was possible, much to the fury of India. 

Shubman Gill, the India captain, was heard on the stump mic telling Crawley to ‘Grow some f***ing balls’.

Crawley survived the over from Jasprit Bumrah and England will resume on Sunday with a lead of two and all ten wickets intact, in what is now effectively a one-innings shootout.

‘He’ll be assessed and hopefully he’ll be alright to carry on,’ said Tim Southee, the England coaching consultant, when asked about Crawley. 

‘It’s always exciting to see both sides animated. I’m not sure what they were complaining about when Shubman Gill was lying down getting a massage in the middle of the day (on day two),’ Southee insisted.

‘It’s been a great series so far. Both sides have played good cricket and in a good spirit. This was just a bit of energy towards the end of a day after a long three days and it’s good to see the energy is still there for both sides,’ Southee added.

KL Rahul, who scored a century for India, admitted that he understood why Crawley would waste time. 

‘It’s part of the game. As an opening batter, I can understand what happened in the last few minutes,’ said Rahul. 

‘We wanted to bowl two overs. Two overs with six minutes left is a no-brainer. We were all pumped up because we know how difficult it is to bat then. 

The India opener added: ‘A wicket at the end of the day would have been perfect for us. Even without that, we’ll be fired up and go out there and get those ten wickets as quick as we can.’