India vs England 2nd Test: Anything over 220-230 won’t be easy to chase, says Moeen Ali

Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 14 at stumps, and his presence would be a big concern for the hosts, but Moeen Ali said they would look to hit back with the new ball.

England may have made some late inroads to set up an exciting final day with India leading by 154 runs, but the priority for the hosts is to keep the target inside 220, all-rounder Moeen Ali said after the penultimate day of the Lord’s Test. The off-spinning all-rounder dismissed a well-set Ajinkya Rahane (61) and Ravindra Jadeja (3) as India lost three wickets for 20 runs to finish the fourth day of the second Test at 181/6. “I think both teams are in a decent situation, it’s been a fantastic game of cricket. I think anything over 220-230 is going to be pretty difficult, but not impossible obviously. It won’t be easy,” Ali said on Sunday (August 15). Rishabh Pant was unbeaten on 14 at stumps, and his presence would be a big concern for the hosts, but Ali said they would look to hit back with the new ball. “We know what Pant can do, he can be so dangerous. But we all have to play well tomorrow. The new ball will be crucial tomorrow. We also have Jimmy Anderson.”