England batsman Harry Brook is confident in his team’s chances in the second Test at Edgbaston, despite India’s strong position at the end of Day 3. The host team’s counterattack, led by Brook and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, was important in England’s comeback into the game before India extended their lead with a strong start to their second innings.
Day 3 began with England trailing by 503 runs, and they were thrown even farther down when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Joe Root and Ben Stokes in quick succession. However, Brook and Smith combined to produce a superb 303-run sixth-wicket stand, England’s second-highest. Smith’s first Test century took only 80 balls, making him England’s joint-third fastest batsman. Brook hit his ninth Test century, his first against India, in the afternoon session, and went on to score 158 runs. The right-hand hitter discussed his team’s chances of winning the Test and praised Smith’s performance.
“I still believe we can win this Test match, to be honest. I believe that if we take a couple of early wickets tomorrow and put them under pressure, they will crumple up there, and everyone knows that we will try to chase whatever they set us, so we’ll see how they do. It was good to spend some time outside with Smudge [Jamie Smith]. He has a long English career ahead of him. Hopefully, we’ve clawed our way back into the game. He performed quite well there. “He shifted the momentum back in our favour,” Brook told the BBC.
Akash and Siraj bowled well: Harry Brook
Indian pacer Akash Deep ended Brook’s innings with a nip-backer that dismantled the stumps. Following which England collapsed from 387 for 5 to 407 all out, the last five wickets falling for just 20 runs. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj ended with a career-best figures of 6 for 70 on English soil, while Deep picked four. Brook appreciated the Indian bowlers for attacking the stumps.
“If I hadn’t got out, we would not be in this situation now but we saw last week how quickly it can change. Akash and Siraj bowled well. They att andacked the stumps with all modes of dismissal in play,” he added.
Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal KL Rahul raced to 51 inside 13 overs. Jaiswal smashed six boundaries before falling LBW to Josh Tongue on 28. Rahul remained unbeaten on 28 as India closed the day at 64 for 1, extending their lead to 244.
“Thankfully, we’ve seen the back of Jaiswal, and hopefully we can make inroads tomorrow. India are in the driving seat, but hopefully we can put pressure with early wickets and make them crumble,” concluded Brook.
India
