Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik believes Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Harry Brook with a beauty was the moment of the opening day of the third Test at Lord’s. Bumrah got the ball to move back into the right-hander and hit the top of the off-stump.
India’s gun fast bowler is making a comeback into the team after he was rested at Edgbaston to manage his workload. The ace pacer had gone wicketless in the first two sessions but struck after the tea break.
Kartik noted that Brook is known to score his runs quickly and thus his wicket for important for the visitors. Brook had scored a fantastic knock of 158 runs off 234 balls in the first innings of the second Test and had added 303 runs with Jamie Smith.
“Jasprit Bumrah, who is making a comeback, dismissing Harry Brook was the moment of the day. We saw what he did in the last game so it is very important to get him out soon. Not a lot is happening, it is hot and difficult for the bowlers. Dismissing Harry Brook who scores runs at a quick pace, that too with a beauty, was important,” Murali Kartik said on Cricbuzz.
Meanwhile, England ended the day’s play at 251-4, scoring their runs at a run rate of 3.02, which is not what Bazball is known for.
“Bazball was quite silent. England won the toss and batted first on a hot day and the run-rate was very less the whole day. This may be the slowest run-rate since the term bazball was coined. It looked as though Akash Deep was trying a little too much but apart from that the other bowlers could have had more wickets if they had better luck. It was extremely hot and there was not much help off the wicket despite plays and misses,” he stated.
The former Indian left-arm orthodox spinner added it is imperative for India to keep control, as England has depth in their batting order.
“Except for Shoaib Bashir, with Root and Stokes, everyone bats from here. It is important to keep control as one wicket could bring another quick one. But you cannot afford to give away too many runs from here in search of wickets. England batters will wait for the Indian bowlers to tire out in this heat. It is important for the bowling attack to understand that it can be a long day and to know that it is important to remain patient,” he explained.
India would look to strike early on the second day’s play.
