INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
Siraj celebrates the wicket of Ben Duckett © Getty
India’s seamers turned up the heat in a lively morning session on Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s, with Mohammed Siraj leading the charge, as England’s top order was rattled by the variable bounce. Siraj bagged the first two wickets while Nitish Reddy and Akash Deep also chipped in as the hosts moved to 98 for 4 at Lunch.
The second over that India were denied late on Day 3 finally began with Siraj conceding four byes, followed by a crisp drive for three from Ben Duckett. Siraj did beat Zak Crawley’s outside edge soon after, while the right-hander took a painful blow on the knuckles when a Jasprit Bumrah delivery reared up awkwardly and nearly resulted in a caught and bowled. India burnt a review when Siraj convinced Shubman Gill to go upstairs for an LBW appeal against Crawley, only for replays to confirm the ball was sliding down leg.
Crawley continued to live dangerously, slicing a Bumrah delivery wide of gully for four and was looking increasingly uneasy against the Day 4 pitch’s uneven bounce, especially from the Nursery end. Duckett, in contrast, appeared at ease, even scooping Siraj nonchalantly for a boundary. But the bowler had the last laugh, celebrating in Duckett’s face after having him mistime a pull. Ollie Pope was then struck on the glove by another rising delivery from Bumrah and edged one over the slip cordon for four, capping off an eventful first 30 minutes on the penultimate day.
Bumrah and Siraj continued to probe both edges before the latter got one to nip back into Pope and trap him in front, with India reviewing successfully this time. Reddy was the first bowling change, replacing Bumrah, and was pulled for four by Crawley. But in his very next over, Reddy drew Crawley into a drive and had him caught at gully, where Yashasvi Jaiswal took his first catch of the series.
Joe Root and Harry Brook steadied England as they handled the change bowlers Nitish and Akash without much trouble. Root played a classy square drive while Brook hit a couple of scoop shots before launching one down the ground for a maximum, with Akash being at the receiving end. Reddy was also hit for a four by Brook before Akash, having received some treatment from the physio for his back, had Brook bowled for 23 attempting a sweep, ending a 37-run stand. Bumrah returned for a short spell late in the session but Root and Ben Stokes saw him off, ensuring there was no further damage leading into Lunch.
Brief scores: England 387 & 98/4 (Harry Brook 23; Mohammed Siraj 2-11, Nitish Kumar Reddy 1-20) lead India 387 by 98 runs.
© Cricbuzz
