Joe Root Praises England's Strong Start as India Fights Back in Third Test
England's First Innings Sets the Stage
On July 12, during an intense day of cricket at Lord's, England's Joe Root expressed satisfaction with his team's first innings total and shared insights on the pitch's potential behavior in the upcoming days.
India's innings saw a resilient half-century from KL Rahul and the return of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who made his comeback after a finger injury. By the end of day two, India had lost two more wickets, finishing at 145/3, with Pant (19*) and Rahul (53*) still at the crease.
India trails by 242 runs, responding to England's first innings score of 387, which featured a century partnership between Root (104) and Ollie Pope (44), along with a counter-attacking 82-run partnership from Brydon Carse and Jamie Smith, both of whom scored fifties.
Root's Insights on Pitch Conditions
In the post-match press conference, Root remarked, "I believe it's a solid score. We'll have a clearer picture once they conclude their innings."
He noted that typically, the pitch performs best on the second day and anticipated hot, dry conditions that would slow down the play. He added, "The pitch tends to fluctuate and offers something as the game progresses. Securing those runs is vital, and we had two excellent partnerships today."
Praise for Lower Order and Jofra Archer's Return
Root commended the lower-order partnership between Carse and Smith, particularly highlighting Smith's current form and skill.
He also expressed joy over Jofra Archer's return, stating it was refreshing to see him back in Test cricket. Root described Archer as an "X-Factor" player, noting his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, whether in the IPL or international matches.
Root emphasized Archer's role in complementing the bowling attack, stating, "At various stages of the match, they will need to collaborate to secure the 20 wickets necessary for victory."
Looking Ahead: Pitch Behavior and Key Wickets
Regarding the pitch's future behavior, Root predicted it wouldn't improve and suggested there might be some turn for spinners as the match progresses. He commented, "It’s likely to be a slow-scoring affair unless someone like Rishabh plays aggressively, employing unconventional methods. This could resemble a more traditional Test match."
Root acknowledged the significance of dismissing skipper Shubman Gill, calling it a "big wicket" given Gill's impressive form. He praised the catch by Jamie Smith as exceptional.
As the final session resumed with India at 44/1, Nair (18) and Rahul (13) played positively, reaching a 50-run partnership. However, Nair fell to Ben Stokes after scoring 40 runs, leaving India at 74/2.
Gill joined Rahul, and together they brought India past the 100-run mark with minimal risk. Unfortunately, Gill was dismissed for 16, caught by Smith off Chris Woakes' bowling, leaving India at 107/3.
Fortunately for Indian fans, Rishabh Pant quickly made an impact, hitting three boundaries off Shoaib Bashir, showing no signs of his earlier injury. KL Rahul continued his impressive form, scoring his second fifty of the series in 97 balls, with five fours, ensuring India ended the day without losing further wickets.
Match Summary
Brief Scores: England: 387 (Joe Root 104, Brydon Carse 56; Jasprit Bumrah 5/74) vs India: 145/3 (KL Rahul 53*, Karun Nair 40; Jofra Archer 1/22).