Siraj’s brace leads lively morning session for India

Siraj's brace leads lively morning session for India

India's seamers turned up the heat in a lively morning session on Day 4 of the third Test at Lord's. Mohammed Siraj led the charge, rattling England's top order with variable bounce. Siraj bagged the first two wickets, while Nitish Reddy and Akash Deep also chipped in, leaving the hosts at 98 for 4 at Lunch.

Siraj conceded four byes in the second over, followed by a crisp drive for three from Ben Duckett. He then beat Zak Crawley's outside edge, and the right-hander took a painful blow on the knuckles from a Jasprit Bumrah delivery. India burnt a review when Siraj convinced Shubman Gill to go upstairs for an LBW appeal against Crawley, but replays confirmed the ball was sliding down leg.

Crawley continued to live dangerously, slicing a Bumrah delivery wide of gully for four. Duckett appeared at ease, even scooping Siraj nonchalantly for a boundary. But Siraj 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.

Bumrah and Siraj continued to probe both edges before Siraj got one to nip back into Pope and trap him in front, with India reviewing successfully. Reddy replaced 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.

Joe Root and Harry Brook steadied England, handling 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. Akash 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 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.