Key Points

Joe Root's 104 anchored England's innings before Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in an over to revive India. Jamie Smith's attacking fifty and Brydon Carse's resistance pushed England past 350. Bumrah's 4/68 kept India in the game despite England's strong position. The series remains level at 1-1 after an intense first session on Day 2.

Key Points: Joe Root Century and Smith-Carse Stand Lift England Past 350 vs India

  • Joe Root scores 104 to become fifth-highest Test centurion
  • Bumrah removes Stokes and Root in quick succession
  • Smith-Carse counterattack adds 82 for eighth wicket
  • England dominate despite Bumrah's 4/68 in crucial spells
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Root's ton, Smith-Carse counter-attack takes England beyond 350 despite Bumrah magic

Joe Root's 37th Test ton and Jamie Smith-Brydon Carse's 82-run stand take England to 353/7 despite Jasprit Bumrah's 4-wicket haul at Lord's.

"Root continued his incredible run at Lord's, notching his ninth international ton at the venue – Match Report"

London, July 11

A fine century from ever-consistent Joe Root and a counter-attacking eighth-wicket stand between wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse after three quick wickets helped England ease past 350-run mark at the end of the first session on day two of the third Test against India at Lord's.

At the end of Lunch, England was 353/7, with Carse (33*) and Smith (51*). They have accumulated 82 runs for the eighth wicket so far.

England took to the field in the first session at 251/4, with Root (99*) and skipper Ben Stokes (39*) unbeaten.

On the first ball of the day with a boundary, Root continued his incredible run at Lord's, notching his ninth international ton at the venue and his 37th century in Test cricket, climbing to fifth spot among all-time Test centurions.

In the 86th over, Jasprit Bumrah produced the breakthrough for India, producing a brilliant nip-backer that crashed into Stokes' top of off-stump, removing him for 44 in 110 balls, with four boundaries. England was 260/5, ending an 88-run partnership between two of the most senior players in the group.

Jamie Smith was next up on the crease and immediately went after Mohammed Siraj with two cracking fours.

However, in the very next over, Bumrah once again came in clutch, castling Root for a 199-ball 104 consisting of 10 fours and then getting Chris Woakes caught behind by Dhruv Jurel for a golden duck. England was 271/7.

Smith continued his attacking brand of cricket, collecting boundaries against Siraj and Bumrah and playing some fine shots, displaying his class and power. The 300-run mark came up for England in 92.3 overs. Even Carse produced some handy boundaries.

Smith continued his red-hot form, reaching his fifty in 52 balls, with six fours. On the same delivery, England reached their 350-run mark. Smith and Carse made sure that England ended the session without any further trouble.

At the end of the day one's play following the third session, England was 251/4, with Root (99*) and skipper Stokes (39*) unbeaten.

After a balanced first session, which saw Nitish Kumar Reddy strike twice, England largely dominated the next two with more traditional Test cricket as compared to their attacking 'Bazball' cricket, despite strikes from Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah.England started the final session at 153/2, with Root (54*) and Ollie Pope (44*) unbeaten.

England won the toss and opted to bat, with the series level 1-1.

Brief Scores: England: 353/7 (Joe Root 104, Jamie Smith 51*, Jasprit Bumrah 4/68) vs India.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an England fan living in Mumbai, I'm thrilled with Root's century! But honestly, our middle order collapse was worrying. Smith and Carse saved us big time. This Test is going down to the wire!
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Arjun K
Why does Siraj keep leaking runs in crucial moments? Bumrah is carrying the entire bowling attack on his shoulders. Team management needs to seriously think about our bowling combination.
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Priya S
Jamie Smith's innings was a treat to watch! So refreshing to see a young player take on our bowlers with such confidence. But 350+ is a good total - our batsmen need to show the same patience Root displayed.
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Michael C
Watched the match at 3 AM here in California! Root's century was pure textbook batting. But credit to India - Bumrah's double strike brought them right back. This is why Test cricket is the best format!
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Nisha Z
The pitch seems to be easing out. Our batsmen need to capitalize when they come out to bat. Kohli and Gill should take inspiration from Root's innings - patience with occasional aggression is the key!

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