Ind vs Eng : Test Begins At The Iconic Lord’s
The 3rd Test Match between India and England began at the iconic Lord’s with the series tantalisingly poised at 1-1, after India levelled the series with a fascinating win at Edgbaston.
Ben Stokes Wins Toss And Opts To Bat
Ben Stokes, the England Captain and a bit under the heat, called it right for the third straight time and opted to have a bat. A risky decision, a few thought, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah, India’s spearhead back into the Team.
England Batters Play Safe As Nitish Snares Two
Batting first for the first time in the series, the English batters preferred to play conventional Test Cricket rather than the Bazball types and saw off the initial threat from Bumrah, Akash Deep and Siraj. However, Nitish Reddy was able to extract both swing and seam and, against all odds, snared Zak Crawley ( he is having a tough time in the series) and the prolific Ben Duckett in quick succession before lunch.
Jadeja Breaks Pope-Root Partnership
Ollie Pope, still fighting for his place in the side, and the mercurial Joe Root steadied the ship with a 100-run partnership. As things began to look dangerous for India, the wily Jadeja got one to turn sharply, taking Pope’s edge, with Dhruv Jurel taking a stunning catch with the turning ball. The partnership was broken just after tea. A crestfallen Pope took a long walk to the pavilion.
Bumrah Takes Brook With A Beauty
Walked in Harry Brook, played a couple of good shots and then perished to the brilliance of Bumrah. Stuck in the crease with no foot movement, either front or back, Brook was bowled by a lethal in-dipper from Bumrah. The ball pitched on a good length and nipped back sharply to hit Brook’s off-stump. India was calling the shots.
Stokes & Root Deny India
Ben Stokes and Joe Root then put in the grind and laboured to the close of play to deny India any further wickets. Stokes, struggling with his groin, looked steady on the pitch, determined not to give away his wicket. India took the new ball, which created a few ripples, but England managed to reach 251/4 at stumps with Joe Root not out on 99, just one short of his 37th Test hundred. With the new ball just 3 overs old, India will have a crack at the English batters in the morning.
An interesting Day 2 awaits.
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