Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow dominated the third session of the fourth day India In the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston. The duo put on an unbeaten 150-run partnership for the fourth wicket to put England in the driver’s seat while chasing a target of 378 runs. Both Root and Bairstow gave India glimpses of ‘bazzball’ during their counter-attack.
At stumps, England were 259/3 at stumps, with Root (76) and Bairstow (72) in the middle as they needed 119 more runs to win the match and level the series on Day 5 at Edgbaston. England are marching towards their highest successful goal in Test cricket and at this venue as well.
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Root, who is enjoying a golden patch, made no mistake and played with risk during his 112-ball knock on Day 4. He has hit 9 fours so far. While a century from the first innings – Bairstow once again hit back at the Indian bowlers as they currently bat at a strike rate of 82.76. He has hit 8 fours and a six so far.
Bumrah remained the only wicket-taker for India with scalps to his name, while the others struggled to hit areas. Mohammad Siraj, who took four wickets in the first innings, was batted sternly by the England batsmen and gave 64 runs in his 10 overs so far.
Earlier, skipper Bumrah overtook Ollie Pope on the first ball after the tea break as he swung the ball away from him and the England No. 3 tossed it behind the stumps.
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While Alex Lees, who chased down a target of 378, scored a counter-fifty to give England a quick start, Mohammed Shami was run out for 56.
Two quick wickets turned the momentum in India’s favor as all the players were excited after that but they failed to capitalize on it as Root and Bairstow stood firm against them.
Lees and Crowley, who have been under a lot of questions for their poor performances in recent times, set the stage for the hosts to chase down a mammoth 378-run target against India’s high-quality bowling attack. The England openers put on a 107-run partnership for the first wicket.
Bumrah managed to propel India to the end of the session by clean bowling Crowley (46 off 76) when a delivery went by length, who misjudged the leave.
India could eat only 8.5 overs after lunch. The tail didn’t move as compared to the first innings but specialist batsmen gifted their wickets to prevent India from taking a 400-plus lead.
England captain Ben Stokes took four wickets as England bundled out India for 245 in 81.5 overs in their second innings.
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