London: Joe Root (48 not out) and Rory Burns (49) saved England from a landslide after early setbacks as the hosts finished at 119/3 after 45 overs at stumps on Day 2 of the second Test at Lord’s on Friday. Jonny Bairstow along with his skipper was at the crease as the Englishmen still trail India by 245 runs.
Earlier, India who started the day at overnight 276/3 stumbled early on. Centurion KL Rahul went home in the opening over of the day miscuing one to extra cover off Ollie Robinson while James Anderson packed Ajinkya Rahane home the very next over.
Joe Root batting steadily on 48* as England go to stumps at 119/3 on Day 2 of the Lord’s Test.#WTC23 | #ENGvIND | https://t.co/rhWT865o91 pic.twitter.com/DejYKw7p2g
— ICC (@ICC) August 13, 2021
Ravindra Jadeja (40) coupled with wicket-keeper Rishav Pant (37) stitched a breezy but valuable 49-run stand for the sixth wicket. However, the latter went way too hard falling to Mark Wood while Jadeja with the tail showed a brief resilience but it was the veteran Anderson (5/62) who bowled a superb spell in the first session helping England bundle the visitors out for 364.
In reply, Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley started cautiously for the hosts started going into the Tea-break unbeaten. However, Mohammed Siraj initiated the attack for India, picking up Sibley and Haseeb Hameed in the same over reducing England to 23/2. Root though again came to the rescue although Siraj was constantly asking him questions in the final session.
Towards the end, Mohammed Shami trapped Burns just a short of a deserving half-century to further dent the spirit although, in Root, they have the man for the job for a possible fightback along with Bairstow who can definitely pack a punch on Day 3 if the conditions suit the hosts a bit.
Brief Scores: England 119/3 (Rory Burns 49, Joe Root 48*; Mohammed Siraj 2/34) trail India 364 all out (KL Rahul 129; James Anderson 5/62) by 245 runs.
