England rode into a dominant position during the second day of the fourth Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Old Trafford due to authoritative half-centuries from Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, after skipper Ben Stokes' memorable five-wicket haul after eight years.
At stumps, England had driven to 225 for 2 in a mere 46 overs, 133 runs behind India's first innings score of 358. Their ruthless batting performance was on the back of Stokes' dogged 5 for 72, which helped destroy the Indian innings — a show stolen only by the incredible courage of Rishabh Pant, who stepped out to bat with a broken right foot to score a gallant 54.
Pant had previously retired injured on 37, but overcame physical discomfort to come back to the middle, scoring 17 further runs in a gritty display that will be remembered by cricket fans. His determination saw India cross the 350-run barrier before being bowled out.
Openers Crawley (84) and Duckett (94) maximized favorable batting conditions to compile a classy 166-run partnership in only 195 deliveries. While both fell short of centuries, the foundation that they have laid has left England in a strong position. Joe Root and Ollie Pope were unbeaten on 11 and 20 respectively, looking forward to a considerable first-innings advantage on day three.
The day started with Jofra Archer harassing Ravindra Jadeja's outside edge mercilessly before eventually getting a nick, with Harry Brook holding on to second slip to send the all-rounder packing for 20. Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar saw out the English attack to take their team to a handy 48-run sixth-wicket partnership.
Thakur hit some tidy shots on the way to a resolute 41 off 88 balls but was ultimately lured into a false stroke by Stokes and edged one to Duckett at gully. The crowd went berserk as injured Pant hobbled back to the crease, leaning on the railing for support, while Thakur patted him tenderly on the helmet – a moment that symbolized pure grit and sportsmanship.
In spite of evident unease, Pant came on to hit singles, albeit his comeback was disrupted as rain interrupted play early for lunch. Post-resumption, Sundar was fortunate to get a boundary off Stokes but was out shortly afterwards, mis-timing a short pitch from Chris Woakes to deep fine leg, ending his sedate 27 from 90 deliveries.
Stokes finished off his eagerly anticipated five-for when his outswinger brushed the edge of debutant Anshul Kamboj's bat, and Jamie Smith finished the catch. Pant's panache appeared yet again when he hit Archer over the top for six and took his 18th Test fifty with a classy cover drive off Stokes. But his defiance was cut short when Archer broke his off-stump once again — the second time in two innings — closing a 75-ball 54 that earned him a standing ovation.
Tailenders Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah contributed a few runs, but Archer completed the innings when Bumrah edged behind. A sharp review triggered by Joe Root picked up on the faint nick, leaving Archer with 3 for 75.
Confronted with a good score and bowling-friendly conditions, England's openers adopted a belligerent attitude. Duckett did not waste any time, punishing four early boundaries off debutant Kamboj and beating Bumrah with accurate glances to the fence. Crawley, on the other hand, gorged on Siraj's looseners, claiming boundaries with ease.
With tea, the hosts were soaring, both openers showing mastery against a dull Indian bowling unit that was unable to use the short ball properly. In the last session, Crawley played three sharp boundaries prior to both the batsmen crossing their fifties — Crawley off 73, Duckett in only 46.
India finally got a breakthrough when Jadeja induced one to turn and bounce, finding an edge from Crawley that KL Rahul took well at first slip. Crawley left for 84 off 113 deliveries. Duckett also fell short of a hundred when he chopped at a short and wide ball from Kamboj and was caught behind Dhruv Jurel, handing the inexperienced pacer his first Test wicket.
Root and Pope batted tamely to run out the remaining overs, with Root reprieving an lbw appeal when the impact was outside off. The duo ensured no further harm was caused, ending a day which belonged firmly to the hosts.
Brief Scores:
India 358 in 114.1 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 61, Yashasvi Jaiswal 58; Ben Stokes 5-72, Jofra Archer 3-75)
England 225/2 in 46 overs (Ben Duckett 94, Zak Crawley 84; Ravindra Jadeja 1-37, Anshul Kamboj 1-48)
England trail by 133 runs
Read also| Stokes’ 5-for Holds India to 358 Despite Gritty 54 from Pant in 4th Test
