Ravichandran Ashwin made India 96 runs ahead of England midway through a rain interrupted third day of the first Test at Headingley. India were well-placed at 90 for 2 in their second innings, with eight wickets in hand. Sadly, they were not able to continue their efforts, as play was stopped by bad weather. Earlier, England had been bowled out for 465, setting up a six-run lead on first innings.
Harry Brook was the indisputable star for England, with his balance and bat speed marking him out as something special. He surged from a precarious zero to an impressive 99 runs, before falling to a hook shot that landed directly in the hands of a fielder stationed at deep backward square leg. His innings proved key in keeping England’s momentum going all day.
Brook’s contributions included significant partnerships that bolstered England’s batting effort. He shared a match-winning 51-run partnership with Ben Stokes, who was pivotal in helping Brook through tricky patches and using his experience through the middle order. Brook and Jamie Smith proved a formidable alliance in response, sharing a 73-run stand. Finally, Chris Woakes joined the party and made 49 runs, adding firepower to the batting assault. As evidenced by these collaborations, Brook’s mastery over the game’s pace and floor and what he could do to uplift those around him were on full display.
Jasprit Bumrah proved his mettle by bagging last two wickets down India’s innings. He finished off with stellar figures of 5 for 83. This performance constituted Bumrah’s 14th five-wicket haul in Test Match Cricket. He indirectly matched the record held by the great Kapil Dev, notching up his 12th five-for away from home.
Once play resumed during India’s second innings, they wasted no time capitalizing on the conditions. They had put themselves in a commanding position, ahead by 96 runs with eight wickets in hand. Indian batsmen shamelessly flexed on an impatient England bowling attack. Rain stopped their momentum, and fans everywhere were anxiously awaiting the return to play.
