Joe Root 180 not out , England lead 27
On sunny day, without any assistance from the pitch Indian pace quartet toiled hard to contain England from getting away with the big first innings lead. Siraj`s post lunch blow and double strike by Ishant post tea, saved the day for India.
Day 3 - Second Test - Lords, London. As it unfolded :
Lunch : England cruising : 216/3 from 119/3.
Post Lunch Bairstow failed to tackle Siraj ploy of bombarding him with bouncers, mistimed continuously - may be due to bit softer old ball - and in the in same 80th over , and India got the breakthrough at last after 121 runs partnership, in 34th over of the day. Bairstow - 57, 229/4. Root got to his hundred. Then Ishant bowled Butler after partnership of 54, on the second new ball. 283/5.
Tea : England 50 behind, Root & Moeen batting without any difficulty.
Post Tea Ishant Sharma`s double strike brought India back into the match. On 341 Moeen and Curran were removed on successive deliveries.-341/7. Then India struck regularly to end England innings.
Day 3 end :
India bowls out England below 400 , England lead 27.
So on the forth day it`s almost starting from the scratch for both the teams. India hope to bat well in second innings as well , with all eyes on Pujara and Rahane and even on Virat`s form. Can Indian openers repeat the first innings performance on Independence day? One thing they can hope is bright sunny day again. If India bats well on day 4 , left arm spinner Jadeja will definitely come into play on fifth day pitch .Hope for two more days engrossing cricket.
- Vivek Ketkar
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