After seven weeks of drama and outstanding cricket, it was only fitting that this memorable series was decided on the last possible day. Either England would win 3-1 or India would pull off a 2-2 draw. The outcome was on a knife-edge.
It was an epic contest, with each of the five Tests going into the final day – just how top drawer cricket should be.
In scenes that will go down in British sporting folklore, England started the day as unquestionable favourites, needing only 35 more runs with four wickets in hand. Even more so, with the first two balls being hit for 4!
Chris Woakes came out to bat with his arm in a sling to support Gus Atkinson when England needed 17 to reach their target of 374. But India turned the screws and kept the pressure on with some superb bowlingโฆ you wonโt need a match report to know that England lost the match by six runs!
Malc was there with some of the C&C crew and describes the almost unbearable tension at The Kia Oval: โThe final few hours were amongst the tensest Iโve ever experienced at a cricket match! By that final day, England were men down and everything felt in the balance. Of course, we were desperate for an England win and thought they might just edge it with such a gutsy performance. But utmost respect for India. They matched Englandโs gutsiness with an admirable doggedness. One for the history books!โ
As readers of our news feed will know, C&C are a sponsor and advertising partner at The Kia Oval, so spectators from all around the world would have seen our brand throughout the coverage of the final Test in the series. This built on the coverage gained in the first Test at Headingley and the fourth at Old Trafford. The compound effect of this high-profile coverage is immense for building our brand awareness.
According to The Times, over one million viewers watched live on Sky Sports channels during the final day’s play! Thatโs 100% more than the average viewers per session for a weekday non-Ashes Test. Itโs certainly the most coverage weโve gained from a cricket match, so whilst England drew the series, C&C were definite winners.
Malc says: โIt was wonderful to be there. The staff and Commercial team at the Oval were fantastic, and it was with a real sense of pride that I saw the C&C name appear around the ground. Weโre thrilled with the exposure it has given us. My phone didnโt stop ringing with calls from people watching the match on TV!โ
You can watch the highlights of the final day here, and see Siraj celebrating sealing the match in front of our C&C branding (as per the image) at about 6 minutes in. How fantastic to see two on-the-day winners in the same frame!
