CRICKET – INDIA finished day three of the second Test on 64-1 to lead England by 244 runs after they dismissed the hosts for 407 in the first innings at Edgbaston yesterday despite Jamie Smith’s commanding and unbeaten knock of 184.
After England’s horror start saw them slump to 84-5, Smith and Harry Brook transformed the innings in a masterclass of counter-attacking cricket as both smashed centuries in a crucial sixth-wicket partnership worth a precious 303 runs.
But England’s remarkable fightback ended in spectacular fashion when their last five wickets tumbled for just 20 runs after the new ball breathed life into the Indian fast bowlers.
“Up until I got out I felt like we were almost clawing it back but our tail had a collapse, as we saw with them,” Brook, who scored 158, told Sky Sports.
“It was good to spend some time out there with Smudge (Smith), he’s got a long career ahead with England and he’s a phenomenal player.”
Racing along at nearly seven runs an over under floodlights, India’s openers had brought up their 50-run partnership in no time before Josh Tongue struck to trap Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw, sparking immediate controversy.
Jaiswal conferred with opening partner KL Rahul whether to review the decision and when he finally did, England skipper Ben Stokes argued that the timer had already run down as the crowd booed.
But the review stood and India eventually lost it as the ball had been heading straight for leg stump, bringing Karun Nair to the crease.
Rahul (28) and Nair (seven) were at the crease at the end of day’s play, with a light drizzle threatening to spoil the party over the weekend with the match delicately poised.
In the first innings, Brook’s heroic innings came to an end when Akash Deep (4-88) had him bowled off a delivery that jagged back and hit the top of off stump. Brook, who had been struggling with cramp after tea, walked off to the sound of the Edgbaston crowd singing his name.
The collapse rapidly gathered pace as Deep struck again when Chris Woakes edged to the slips where Nair took another smart catch.
Mohammed Siraj then completed a devastating spell by trapping both Brydon Carse and Tongue lbw for ducks to complete a five-wicket haul.
Last man Shoaib Bashir was welcomed with a bouncer to the helmet from Siraj, which required England to assess him due to the concussion protocol, but he was bowled off the next delivery.
As Siraj finished with figures of 6-70, Smith was left stranded on 184, a magnificent performance overshadowed by the team’s stunning capitulation that saw six England batters departing for ducks.
Earlier, Smith and Brook had turned Edgbaston into their personal playground as their partnership crushed the India bowling attack’s spirit.
Brook had endured a heartbreaking dismissal on 99 in the first Test victory at Headingley.
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