Can Smith Propel England to Victory After Bumrah's Fiery Spell?

London, July 11 (NationPress) Jamie Smith achieved his second fifty in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, playing a crucial role in England’s recovery during the third Test at Lord’s on Friday, particularly after Jasprit Bumrah delivered a devastating spell, claiming three wickets.

At lunch, England stood at 353/7 after 105 overs, with Smith and Brydon Carse not out at 51 and 33, respectively, contributing to an unbroken eighth wicket partnership worth 82 runs. The quicker pitch allowed Bumrah to effectively maneuver the new ball, dismissing England’s overnight batsmen – Joe Root and Ben Stokes – within the first 30 minutes of play, before also claiming Chris Woakes.

However, Smith, who was dropped on five by KL Rahul, capitalized on his good fortune, bringing up his sixth Test fifty and standing firm alongside Carse to spearhead England’s lower-order resurgence. For India, the timing of the ball replacements coincided with a dip in their performance after Bumrah had set the stage for a minimal total.

The day commenced with Root striking Bumrah behind square for four, securing his 37th Test century off the first delivery of the morning session, surpassing Rahul Dravid and Steve Smith on the all-time centurions list. But Bumrah retaliated brilliantly, delivering a sensational delivery that bowled Stokes, angling in from around the wicket to hit the top of off-stump with exceptional force, dislodging it.

Bumrah then dismissed Root for the 11th time in Tests with a full delivery that nipped in slightly, leading Root to chop onto his stumps for 104. One wicket led to another as Bumrah caught the edge from a tentative poke by Woakes, with the decision confirmed only after India opted for a review.

India might have secured another wicket had Jamie Smith not been dropped by KL Rahul at second slip. The visitors also managed to have the new ball changed after just 10.3 overs. This change halted India’s wicket-taking momentum as Smith struck three boundaries off Siraj and Bumrah, leading to yet another ball change after merely 48 deliveries.

With Smith leading a strong lower-order resurgence, and India adjusting their field placements, Carse gained confidence, hitting boundaries off the pacers and contributing singles to elevate the eighth wicket partnership to fifty. Smith then elegantly drove an off-drive off Nitish Kumar Reddy before reaching his fifty off 52 balls with a single through backward square leg, concluding a dynamic session of Test cricket.

Brief scores: England 353/7 in 105 overs (Joe Root 104, Jamie Smith 51 not out; Jasprit Bumrah 4-63, Nitish Kumar Reddy 2-62) against India.