London: England skipper Joe Root was stranded at unbeaten 180 as the hosts took a crucial 27-run lead in their first innings at stumps on Day 3 of the second Test against India at Lord’s on Saturday.
Replying to India’s 364 all out, England finished on 391 with Root fighting the lone battle alongside a Jonny Bairstow (57) contribution keeping the game in the balance with two more days to play.
Joe Root was left stranded on 180* as James Anderson was out bowled on the final ball of day three. #WTC23 | #ENGvIND | https://t.co/rhWT865o91 pic.twitter.com/VekQkoGAtr
— ICC (@ICC) August 14, 2021
Despite early setbacks, Root and Bairstow joined hands together to see off the first session quite comfortably without losing a single wicket adding a valuable 97 runs. The pendulum though shifted towards India after the lunch break as Mohammed Siraj broke the 121-run stand packing Bairstow home. Siraj’s mates followed him soon.
Ishant Sharma (3/69) produced a couple of beauties after tea removing Moeen Ali and Sam Curran in quick succession denting the English spirits but it was Siraj who was the pick of the Indian bowlers with his 4/94.
Despite the dominance of the Indian bowlers, Root anchored the innings throughout the day bringing up his 22nd Test century to have some edge over the visitors. With two more days to play, the match has been again set up perfectly with both sides having chances of sealing the deal.
Brief Scores: England 391 all out (Joe Root 180*, Jonny Bairstow 57; Mohammed Siraj 4/94, Ishant Sharma 3/69) lead India 364 by 27 runs.
