Even though India is in a good position after the end of Day 3, England batsman Harry Brook feels optimistic about his team’s chances in the second Test at Edgbaston. Before India increased their lead with a strong start to their second innings, England’s comeback into the match was greatly aided by the home team’s counterattack, which was led by Brook and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
England was 503 runs down at the start of Day 3, and they were further repelled when Mohammed Siraj removed Ben Stokes and Joe Root in quick succession. But Brook and Smith joined forces to create an incredible 303-run partnership, which was England’s second-highest for the sixth wicket. Smith’s first Test century, the joint-third fastest for England, was reached in just 80 balls. Harry Brook scored 158 runs in the afternoon session, smashing his first and ninth Test centuries against India. The right-hander complimented Smith’s knock and spoke about his team’s prospects of winning the Test.
“To be honest, I still believe we can win this Test match. We’ll see how they play, but I think if we take a few early wickets tomorrow and put them under pressure, hopefully they’ll crumple up there and everyone will know that we’re going to try to chase whatever they set us. Spending time outside with Smudge [Jamie Smith] was pleasant. He has a lengthy career ahead of him in England. I hope we’ve managed to get back into the game. There, he performed incredibly well. Harry Brook told the BBC, “He turned the tide back in our favour.”
Siraj and Akash bowled well: Harry Brook
With a nip-backer that destroyed the stumps, Indian pacer Akash Deep put an end to Brook’s innings. Then, with the final five wickets falling for just 20 runs, England fell from 387 for 5 to 407 all out. Deep collected four, while Mohammed Siraj finished with a career-high six for seventy on English soil. The Indian bowlers’ aggression on the stumps was applauded by Harry Brook.
We wouldn’t be in this predicament now if I hadn’t escaped, but last week demonstrated how rapidly things can change. Siraj and Akash bowled well. They used every method of dismissal in the book to assault the stumps,” he continued.
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the openers, sped to 51 in 13 overs. Jaiswal hit six boundaries before Josh Tongue caught him LBW on 28. As India ended the day at 64 for 1, increasing their advantage to 244, Rahul remained undefeated on 28.
“Thank goodness, Jaiswal is no longer a threat, and maybe tomorrow we may gain ground. Although India is in control, Brook said, “Hopefully, we can apply pressure with early wickets and cause them to crumble.”
India
