The fourth day of the Test match at Lord`s saw a hard-fought battle between bat and ball, with India`s bowlers managing to keep England`s second innings progression under control, particularly in the crucial session leading up to the Tea interval. Despite a resilient partnership from captain Joe Root and Ben Stokes, timely breakthroughs ensured the visitors remained firmly in the contest.
Resuming their innings, England faced a determined Indian pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The morning session saw wickets fall at regular intervals. Ben Duckett, after looking comfortable, mistimed a pull shot to fall to Siraj. Ollie Pope was next, trapped in front by Siraj after surviving a blow to the glove and an earlier edge. Zak Crawley endured a challenging stay, struggling with uneven bounce and taking a painful hit on the knuckles before eventually being caught at gully off the bowling of Nitish Reddy, who had replaced Bumrah.
Harry Brook joined Root and the pair briefly steadied the innings, adding 37 runs with some attacking strokes, including a six from Brook. However, Akash Deep, returning to the attack after receiving treatment, broke the stand by bowling Brook. This left England at 98 for 4 at Lunch, with Root and Stokes taking them safely to the break.
The afternoon session saw Root and Stokes embark on a crucial rescue mission. They ground out a 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket, absorbing pressure and rotating the strike effectively. The Indian pacers, Bumrah and Siraj, continued to beat the bat and create chances, testing the patience and technique of the English batsmen, though clear-cut dismissals proved elusive for a period.
As the session wore on, the spinners were introduced, finding some assistance from the Lord`s surface. Washington Sundar, bowling from the Nursery end, began to pose questions. His persistence paid off when Joe Root, attempting a sweep shot, missed the ball entirely and was bowled, ending his valuable innings on 40. Sundar struck again shortly after, clean bowling Jamie Smith with a quicker delivery that the batsman tried to play off the back foot.
These two quick wickets from Sundar shifted the momentum just as England seemed to be building a significant lead. At the Tea break, England reached 175 for 6, having added 77 runs in a session that demanded concentration from both sides. Ben Stokes remained unbeaten on 27, with Chris Woakes joining him. With a lead of 175 runs, England still has work to do to put the game beyond India`s reach, while India will feel they are marginally ahead heading into the final session of the day thanks to their disciplined bowling effort and Sundar`s crucial strikes.
Brief Scores: England 387 & 175/6 (Joe Root 40, Ben Stokes 27*; Washington Sundar 2-13, Mohammed Siraj 2-31) lead India 387 by 175 runs.
Marcus Bellamy