Leeds: Joe Root’s smashed his 23rd hundred in red ball cricket taking England closer to a possible series-levelling win against India on Day 2 of the second Test at Headingly on Thursday. The Yorkshire lad’s splendid 121 off 165 balls coupled with Dawid Malan’s (70) supportive powered the hosts to 423/8 taking a mammoth 345 run-lead with Craig Overton (24) and Ollie Robinson (0) being still at the crease at the draw of stumps. Indian bowlers took some serious beating in the first two session before making comeback in the later part of the day chipping in crucial wickets.
Stumps on day two!
Joe Root's century has put England in the driver's seat 💪#WTC23 | #ENGvIND | https://t.co/qmnhRc14r1 pic.twitter.com/asACkegYar
— ICC (@ICC) August 26, 2021
England, after bundling the visitors out for just 78, had already set their platform for a big 1st innings total with both the openers starting off the day at 120 for no-loss but the duo only managed 15 more runs to their overnight score. Mohammed Shami trapped Rory Burns for a gritty 61 with Haseeb Hameed(68) following his partner soon.
The host though continued to pile up runs, completely washing out Indian bowlers, with skipper Root and the returning Malan added vital 139 runs putting their side onto the driving seat. The England skipper who scored his third hundred showed sheer class throughout his majestic ton, being in complete control as he reached his ton in just 124 balls. His partner Malan too enjoyed his return to red-ball cricket with a half century.
Indian bowling line-up who were superb in the last game looked completely out of sorts in the first two crucial sessions, although they did managed a comeback removing both of these superstars for the day before a collapse in the middle and lower order gave the visitors a brief sigh of relief after such a toiling day with Mohmmed Shami (3/87) and Mohammed Siraj (2/86) being pick for them.
Brief scores: India 78 all out (Rohit Sharma 19, Ajinkya Rahane 18; James Anderson 3/6, Craig Overton 3/14) vs England 423/8 (Joe Root 121, Dawid Malan 70; Mohmmed Shami 3/87, Mohammed Siraj 2/86). England lead by 345 runs.
