Joe Root demonstrated his characteristic calmness and technique with a 99*-masterly effort on a slow-burning first day of the third Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, leading England to 251/4 in 83 overs against India at Lord's on Thursday.
A far cry from the Bazball philosophy, England played a slow and calculated game in the bright sunlight at the legendary ground, piling up at slightly more than three runs per over on a surface that gave little to the batsmen.
However, the day was every bit as engrossing, Root's 191-ball effort, which included only nine boundaries, being the foundation of England's performance.
Root will be back on Day Two in view of his 37th Test century—his 11th against India and eighth at Lord's. England's Reply, which started after gaining the toss, featured Root holding a 109-run third-wicket stand with Ollie Pope (44), followed by an unbroken 79-run alliance with captain Ben Stokes (39* off 102), who played with evident pain for a groin issue.
India maintained a firm control over proceedings for much of the day. Nitish Kumar Reddy took two wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja took one each. India also have a nervous wait on the fitness of Rishabh Pant, who departed the field after receiving a blow to his left index finger while standing in as wicketkeeper.
India Strike Early, but Root Holds Firm
Bumrah, back in the XI after replacing Prasidh Krishna, and newcomer Akash Deep bowled questioning early spells. Akash especially troubled Zak Crawley with movement off the seam, though Crawley was able to muscle three boundaries in one over—though with a slice of luck.
Following an early drinks break, Reddy's immediate contribution. Ben Duckett was duped by a slower ball and gloves a pull to Pant, while Crawley was dismissed by a late away swinger from Reddy, which struck the edge through to the keeper.
Pope introduced brio at the crease as Root remained the anchor, unfurling some elegant drives and flicks—especially off Siraj and Akash. The duo guided England through to lunch, honours even after the first session.
India Build Pressure; Pant Injured
Post-lunch, Pope started with a firm cut off Bumrah for four, but the Indian bowling—headed by Bumrah and Siraj—tightened the noose soon. A 28-ball consecutive dot ball spell infuriated the batsmen, before Pope pushed a yorker from Bumrah to mid-wicket to unlock the deadlock.
India's biggest worry came when Pant was painfully hit on the fingers attempting to defend a ball down the leg side. He was treated by physio Kamlesh Jain but ended up walking off the field, with Dhruv Jurel replacing him behind the stumps.
In spite of the setback, Root and Pope kept grinding. Root scored his half-century with a nice clip through fine leg off Reddy, taking advantage of previous boundaries off Akash. The pair reached their 100 for their stand, leading England into tea in commanding fashion.
Jadeja and Bumrah Hit Back, but England Regroup
The last session saw a direct breakthrough with Jadeja sending Pope packing for 44, caught behind by stand-in keeper Jurel who made a sharp standing-up catch. Soon after that, Harry Brook was bowled off his own feet by a brilliant nip-backer off Bumrah, losing his off-stump for a short stay.
Stokes, who wasn't quite at his fluent best because of a niggle, was able to edge the boundary off Akash and Reddy, while Root strayed out to drive Reddy exquisitely through cover. He later swept Jadeja for four more, drawing closer to a hard-fought century.
Though India substituted the second new ball and there was the occasional irritation of flocks of ladybirds, Root and Stokes dug in for the last hour to see England finish Day One with the momentum on their side after a gritty, old-fashioned day of Test cricket.
Brief Scores:
England 251/4 in 83 overs (Joe Root 99*, Ollie Pope 44; Nitish Kumar Reddy 2/46, Ravindra Jadeja 1/26) vs India
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