It was Ollie Pope on Day 2, now it’s Harry Brook. India’s butter fingers on the field might prove to be costly in ENG vs IND 1st Test as yet another England batter has taken advantage of the multiple lifelines offered by the visitors. Brook narrowly missed out on his century as he was dismissed for 99 runs by Prasidh Krishna.
Brook makes India pay for mistakes on field
Brook would have departed for a duck on Day 2 if Jasprit Bumrah hadn’t bowled a no-ball. The incident occured in the 49th over towards the end of play on Day 2. The batter attempted a pull shot and was caught out Siraj. But much to the dismay of the Indians, the umpire called a no-ball and Brook was handed his first lifeline.
The first delivery of the 72nd over, bowled by Jadeja, was another chance for India to get rid of Brook. The ball struck the batter’s willow high on the handle and keeper Rishabh Pant wasn’t able to collect the ball, leading to yet another drop catch. Five deliveries later, the batter went on to record his 12th half-century in Test cricket.
Harry hammered seven fours and one six en route to his fifty on Day 3 in Leeds. While England lost Pope and Stokes in the 1st session, Brook continued to pile misery on the Indian bowlers.
India haven’t had a good outing in the field in this Test so far. On Day 2, Yashasi Jaiswal dropped a couple of catches – one at gully and another at the third slip. Ravindra Jadeja also had a rare failure on the field after dropping a sitter while fielding at backward point.
Without these mistakes on field, India could have easily reduced England down to 6 wickets. Gill and co. will be hoping that unlike Pope, Brook’s lifeline will not come back to haunt them.
