Sports

England lose early wickets as India chase victory on final day at Lord's

By Reuters

India's Ishant Sharma celebrates taking the wicket of England's Jonny Bairstow. Photo: Reuters

LONDON, AUGUST 16

India put on a terrific display of new-ball bowling to leave England tottering at 67-4 in pursuit of a target of 272 at tea on the final day of the second test at Lord's on Monday.

Jasprit Bumrah removed Rory Burns for a duck in the first over before Mohammed Shami produced an unplayable out-swinger to get the better of fellow opener Dom Sibley, also for naught.

Haseeb Hameed, making a comeback to the test side, tried to steady the ship along with skipper Joe Root but was trapped leg before wicket by Ishant Sharma for 9.

Ishant also accounted for Jonny Bairstow on the last ball before tea with a sharp in-swinger that was given out leg before after Indian successfully reviewed.

Earlier, India declared on 298-8 after Shami and Bumrah put on an unbeaten partnership of 89 for the ninth wicket.

Resuming on 181-6, India lost Rishabh Pant (22) and Ishant(16) early, both falling to Ollie Robinson before Shami (56 not out) and Bumrah (34 not out) took charge and thwarted the England attack with some gutsy strokeplay.

Shami was particularly impressive, taking 10 runs off one Moeen Ali over just before the break, which included a huge six over mid-wicket to bring up his half-century.

Bumrah was peppered with short deliveries by the England pacers but displayed great application, taking advantage of a spread-out field that had ample singles to offer.

Root tried all his bowlers but was unsuccessful in removing the two tailenders, who will believe they have a good chance of bowling the visitors to a win under overcast conditions.

The England players cut a frustrated figure, with pacer Mark Wood and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler getting into a verbal altercation with Bumrah over what seemed like a response to the Indian fast bowler's barrage of bouncers aimed at James Anderson at the end of day three.

The two sides drew the first test at Trent Bridge earlier this month after the final day was washed out.