" Best time-wasting I've ever seen"- Michael Vaughan picks sides in Shubman Gill-Zak Crawley fight

The final over of Day 3 at Lord’s sparked controversy as England opener Zak Crawley deliberately slowed down play to avoid facing more than one over before stumps. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan called it “one of the best pieces of time-wasting” he’d witnessed following the stumps.

After dismissing India for 387 on Day 3 (Saturday, July 12) at Lord's, England's openers were forced to face a brief but tense period before stumps. With both sides finishing their first innings on the same score, the match remains evenly poised. England will resume their second innings on Day 4 at 2 for no loss.

The Game Should've Started Two Minutes Ago - Nasser Hussain

England deliberately delayed proceedings to avoid facing more than one over before stumps. They began their second innings reportedly 90 seconds late, with openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett taking extra time to walk out from the dressing room through the Long Room.

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Crawley repeatedly slowed things down during the only over bowled by Jasprit Bumrah. He pulled out mid-delivery, checked his gloves, and called for the physio after being struck on the finger. Shubman Gill exchanged heated words with Crawley and reportedly told him to "grow some f***ing balls."

The confrontation involved finger-pointing and sarcastic applause from the fielders. Gill confronted the English openers just before the final ball. Only one over could be bowled, despite two being scheduled.

"The game should've started two minutes ago. They only wanna face one over," former England captain Nasser Hussain said with four minutes left in the day’s play (via Star Sports):

It's As Good a Piece of Time-Wasting - Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan was impressed by England’s tactics at the end of Day 3 at Lord’s. Vaughan added that India had no reason to complain, noting that both sides had engaged in similar tactics. Michael Vaughan expressed excitement about the thrilling final two days of the match.

"It's as good a piece of time-wasting I've ever seen," Michael Vaughan told the Test Match Special podcast.

"India can't complain because yesterday Gill was down with the hamstring strain – Rahul was off the field and wouldn't have been able to open the batting.

"Neither team can complain, but what great drama and what a great day. We're in for a fourth and fifth day that will be fantastic," Michael Vaughan concluded.

India and England Share Honors on Day 3 of 3rd Test

Resuming at 145/3, overnight batters KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant extended their partnership to 141 runs, taking the score to 248. Pant looked set for a century before being run out for 74 by a direct hit from Ben Stokes.

Rahul, who was unbeaten on 98 at lunch, reached his second century of the series before falling for 100. Ravindra Jadeja added 72 runs with the lower-middle order after India slipped to 254/5. Nitish Kumar Reddy (30) and Washington Sundar (23) contributed valuable runs.

Chris Woakes took 3 wickets for 84 runs, while Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes picked up two wickets each. England ended the day at 2/0 in their second innings. It will be interesting to see how players from both sides respond in the first session on Day 4.

Also read: Watch: Angry Rishabh Pant screams in frustration after missing a big hit off Chris Woakes in Lord's Test