Riding on Chris Woakes’ maiden Test hundred, England has taken firm command of the second England vs India Test at Lord’s. At stumps, they were 357 for 6 with their lead extended to 250.
After being bowled out for just 107, taking quick wickets was the only option for India to get back into the game. Well the pacers provided the visitors with a decent start by taking four quick wickets.
The start to the day was not a promising one for India. Both Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami struggled to find their line and length as they leaked runs.
Alastair Cook looked in good touch in the beginning. However, things changed when Shami changed the angle and sent back Keaton Jennings. Five balls later, Ishant dismissed Cook with a beauty to reduce England to 32 for 2. Shami then dismissed Joe Root while Hardik Pandya sent back Ollie Pope as England headed into lunch on 89 for 4.
However, the session after lunch belonged entirely to England as they scored 141 runs at the loss of just one wicket. Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler helped England surpass India’s 107-run mark and went on to add 42 runs off just 39 balls for the fifth wicket. Shami came to India’s rescue again by dismissing Buttler for 24. The breakthrough, however, did not bring any respite as Bairstow and Chris Woakes batted England to a position of strength.
The duo stitched together the first 50-run stand in the game and took the score past the 200-run mark and the lead over 100. Worryingly for India, both the batsmen scored at a quick pace as the lead kept on swelling. In the meantime, Bairstow reached his fifty off 76 balls by hitting Kuldeep Yadav for a four.
Woakes also reached his fifty with a four off Ishant. The duo went on to share an unbeaten stand of 99 runs before the tea break was taken.
There was no respite after the break too as the duo started from where they had left off in the second session. Woakes was the aggressor during the stand as he reached his maiden Test hundred off just 129 balls. Bairstow, however, could not reach his century, falling short by just 7 runs after edging a Pandya delivery behind the stumps. The wicket ended the mammoth 189-run stand between Bairstow and Woakes for the sixth wicket.
Woakes and Sam Curran piled more misery on the visitors by taking the score past the 350. Bad light then ended day three of the England vs India Test.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:
Kohli before the series "we have the team to compete"
Kohli during the series "we need to show more character"
Kohli after the series "no team is doing well when they travel, when they visit us even they struggle"Shastri sleeps through before, during & after. ?
— Anurag Rekhi (@Dravidict) August 11, 2018
The longer England bat, the longer India stay in the game.#EngvInd
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) August 11, 2018
Starting a new session with the best bowlers on that day…for that pitch…is a non-negotiable. IMHO. #EngvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 11, 2018
At this rate, both Woakes and Bairstow will take lead over India individually. #EngvInd
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) August 11, 2018
Nothing to add. pic.twitter.com/Us20ZvqBtD
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) August 11, 2018
Missed the whole second session. Wondering how badly India must have bowled to leak 141 runs in the session on the cost of only 1 wicket. That itself is 34 runs more than their first innings total. #ENGvIND
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) August 11, 2018
I have not read much about this anywhere but I feel India could have managed Bhuvi better to keep him fit for this all imp series. His presence would have made a huge difference. Can’t afford injuries in a tourwhich comes once in 4 years where his skills would be vital. #EngvInd
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) August 11, 2018
How About Bringing In Either A Specialist Batsman Or A Fast Bowler In Place Of Hardik Pandya? He's Hardly Contributing With Bat Or Ball. #INDvENG #INDvsENG #ENGvIND
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) August 11, 2018
India's best hope is plenty of rain from here.
— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) August 11, 2018
It looks like a distant dream for India now, but if they harbour any hopes of winning this game, the need to make a comeback in the last session.#ENGvIND
— ?????? ????? (@GautamSodhi1) August 11, 2018
By seeing how a lot of the batsmen are struggling against swing We must appreciate what Pakistan batsmen have done in English conditions over the last two tours. Drawn both and batted well. #Testspecialists #ENGvIND
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) August 10, 2018
India: 107 all out (35.2)
Bairstow and Woakes: 110/0 (28.1)#ENGvIND
— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) August 11, 2018