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England reached 327/5 at lunch on Day 2 of the Test against India. Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes were dismissed.
Ollie Pope celebrates after scoring a century on day two of the first Test between England and India at Headingley (Picture credit: AP)
Star England batter Harry Brook went on the offensive against an inconsistent Indian pace attack, taking his team to 327/5 at lunch on Day 3 of the first Test on Sunday, June 22.
Resuming at an overnight 209/3, Brook ensured that England kept scoring, amassing 118 runs in 28 overs. They still trail India by 144 runs.
India bagged two crucial wickets of overnight centurion Ollie Pope and England skipper Ben Stokes.
Similar to Day 2, the trip of Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj couldn’t match the accuracy of ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Brook, who was dismissed off a Bumrah no-ball at the end of Day 2, was dropped by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant on 46 before lunch. Jadeja, extracting a sharp turn from the pitch, got one to turn away, but Pant couldn’t hold on to the rising delivery.
In the same over, Brook completed his 12th Test half-century, adding to the frustration of the Indians, who have struggled with their catching throughout the match.
Led by skipper Shubman Gill, the Indians were very vocal about their problems with a worn-out Dukes’ ball throughout the session.
The umpires relented before the 75th over, while the new ball will be due after 80 overs. The session belonged to Brook, who produced a display of brave strokeplay from the beginning.
Krishna offered two loose deliveries in the first over of the day and Brook dispatched them for a boundary through point and a six over mid-wicket.
Brook’s tactics against the pacers, including Bumrah, stood out as he charged down to them for aerial drives over extra cover.
Krishna, in his next over, was fortunate to get Pope out as the England No. 3 edged a short and wide delivery to the keeper.
India’s second success came after the first hour as Siraj had Stokes caught behind from round the wicket.
While Brook played the enforcer, Jamie Smith contributed with 29 not out off 45 deliveries at the other end.
The track is offering some turn on the third day itself and the Indian team management might feel they are missing their No.1 specialist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav.
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