ENG vs IND | Joe Root’s gritty knock stands tall amid England’s tough day at Lord’s


Former skipper Joe Root scored a patient half-century as England ended day one of the third Test against India at Lord’s at 251/4. The veteran batter remained unbeaten on 99 as he added 79 runs for the fifth wicket with captain Ben Stokes, who gave him company with 39 when stumps were drawn.
After opting to bat on a flat surface in warm and sunny conditions, the England openers failed to get going as they struggled with a two-paced surface to reach 39/0 after 13 overs in the first hour of play. Medium pacer Nitish Kumar started his innings at Lord’s in the best possible manner as he accounted for Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley in his very first over at the hallowed venue. But Joe Root and Ollie Pope ensured that the home side did not lose another wicket till lunch, going in at 83/2.
Jasprit Bumrah, who replaced Prasidh Krishna in the team, and Mohammed Siraj gave nothing away, conceding just eight runs in the first eight overs of the second session. Unfortunately, Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant had to walk back into the dressing room after injuring his finger trying to stop Bumrah’s delivery down the leg side in the 34th over. Dhruv Jurel came in as a substitute in the next over with Pant under the supervision of the medical team. It was hard work for both batters as they put their heads down to grind out 70 runs from 24 overs. Root scored his 67th fifty, in 102 balls, as England were 153/2 when tea was called.
India got two quick breakthroughs at the start of the final session, with Ravindra Jadeja sending back Ollie Pope with the first ball post resumption. Soon, Bumrah dismissed Harry Brook, going through his defence as England were in a spot of bother at 172/4. However, Root ended the day on the cusp of reaching his 37th Test century, with Ben Stokes also finishing unbeaten with a fighting 39 off 102 balls. For India, Nitish finished as the pick among the bowlers with a spell of 2/46.






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