An Exhilarating Day Of Test Cricket
It was an exhilarating day of Test Cricket at Headingley as India and England fought hard to gain ascendancy in the test. Rishabh Pant notched up his 7th Test Century and celebrated with a summersault while Ollie Pope fighting for his place in the England side got to his 9th Test ton. Eventually it appeared to be all square at the end of Day 2 with England at 209/3.
Pant Reaches His 7th Test Ton As India Fold For 471
India with Gill and Pant, defied the English bowlers in the first hour of the day as Pant reached his 100 with a 6 of Shoaib Bashir. At 430/3 India was looking set for a mammoth score. But then suddenly with Gill’s departure England hit back and India folded for 471 losing 7 wickets for just 41 runs. Josh Tongue got 4 of them while Ben Stokes too returned with 4 wickets in the innings.
Brilliant Bumrah Draws First Blood
There was a rain break as England’s batters had a delayed start. Bumrah squared up Zak Crawley like an ‘S’ and induced the edge in the very first over. Indians were celebrating. They had drawn first blood. Brilliant Bumrah had done it again. However, a spate of dropped chances gave Ben Duckett a series of lives which he capitalised on, no wonder.
Duckett Survives But Bumrah Gets Him Eventually
Bumrah was special and simply unplayable. But Siraj was disappointing in his first spell while Prasidh Krishna sprayed it all over. All the pressure built up by Bumrah was released at the other end. Duckett and Pope settled down well and had a 100 run partnership, before Bumrah yet again came to India’s rescue. Duckett played on to an incoming delivery from Bumrah just after tea to peg back the English.
Pope Gets To His 9th Ton As Root Falls
Pope, though, was busy as usual and once Bumrah was rested, the runs began to flow again. Shardul Thakur was completely ineffective, making life much easier for Pope and Root who began to build up a decent partnership. But it was Bumrah again who got Root edging to first slip just before the close, ending the 79 run partnership. India had once again clawed back through Bumrah after Pope had reached his ton.
Harry Brook Survives As England Reach 209/3 At Stumps
A nervous looking Harry Brook had to face a torturous last over from Bumrah. It was a long 9 ball over with Bumrah stepping over the line thrice. Brook was tested to the limits and holed out to Siraj off a no-ball. It was a great escape for Brook. Eventually the over culminated and Brook survived with a whisker.
A Great Day’s Play Indeed
A great day’s play it was, as England fought back to restrict India and then held on gamely against a sensational Bumrah.
A lot to look forward to as Day 3 beckons.
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