Leeds, June 22 (NationPress) Former England captain Nasser Hussain opines that Jasprit Bumrah's new-ball spell, set to commence after lunch on Day 3 of the Tendulkar-Anderson first Test at Headingley Cricket Stadium, is pivotal and could ultimately determine the outcome of the match.

Bumrah showcased his lethal skills on Day 2, claiming all three wickets that fell while persistently challenging the outside edge, although he was unable to secure a wicket during the first session on Day 3.

Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj took the wickets of centurion Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes respectively.

“The match is finely balanced. We are just three overs away from the new ball, and we know who will be taking it. The team that can handle the Bumrah spell will likely secure victory in this Test,” Hussain stated on Sky Sports.

At lunch, England stood at 327/7. Brook narrowly avoided dismissal for a duck off Jasprit Bumrah just before stumps on Day 2, with replays revealing it was a no-ball. The right-handed batter displayed his free-flowing style, earning another lifeline when Rishabh Pant dropped his catch off Ravindra Jadeja. Brook ultimately reached his half-century from 65 balls, ending the session with a counter-attacking 57 not out.

Hussain praised Brook's aggressive strategy against Bumrah in the first session of Day 3, emphasizing the significance of converting his 12th half-century into a century in front of his home audience.

“One might wonder if England would withstand Bumrah or counterattack, and Brook chose to counterattack. His approach of running down the pitch is one of his strengths. He is world-class, but out of his eight centuries, only one has been scored in England. He would love to make that two on his home ground, push on, and achieve a substantial score,” he remarked.