Leeds, Jun 22 (UNI) Harry Brook led England's spirited reply with an unbeaten half-century as the hosts reached 327 for 5 at lunch on Day 3 of the first Test against India at Headingley on Sunday.
Brook was unbeaten on 57, he was accompanied by Jamie Smith who was batting on 29, with England now trailing India’s first-innings total of 471 by 144 runs.
England began the day on 290 for 5, with Brook surviving a dramatic escape in the final over of Day 2 when he miscued a pull off Jasprit Bumrah, only to be reprieved by a front-foot no-ball. He made India pay dearly for that lapse, launching into a brisk counterattack from the very first over.
Brook struck Prasidh Krishna for a four and a six in the opening over of the day and reached his fifty of just 65 balls, his second half-century in three Test innings at his home ground. The right-hander also benefitted from a missed chance on 46, when Rishabh Pant failed to hold onto a faint edge off Ravindra Jadeja.
India, however, managed to pick up two crucial wickets in the session. Ollie Pope, who had resumed his innings on 100 not out, added just six runs before edging behind off Krishna for 106. Shortly afterward, Ben Stokes’ laboured 20 off 52 balls came to an end when Mohammed Siraj found his outside edge, and Pant made no mistake behind the stumps.
Siraj bowled with fire and accuracy, while Bumrah, despite two tidy spells, went wicketless in the morning. Jadeja kept one end tight, giving away just 45 runs in 16 overs, and was unfortunate not to add to his tally after creating multiple half-chances.
Jamie Smith, meanwhile, overcame a brief scare when he was struck on the pads by Shardul Thakur. Initially given out, Smith successfully reviewed, with ball-tracking showing it would have missed leg stump.
With the second new ball due soon after lunch, India will look to break the Brook-Smith stand quickly and regain control. England, on the other hand, will aim to narrow the deficit further as they push for parity.
Score at Lunch (Day 3): England- 327/5 in 77 overs
Harry Brook 57 not out (off 77 balls), Jamie Smith 29 not out
Trail India (471 all out) by 144 runs
UNI BDN RKM