Harry Brook arrived on Sunday morning knowing he had already been granted two stays of execution. The pull he spooned to mid-wicket late on day two was scrubbed off after a Bumrah no-ball, and Rishabh Pant then shelled a thin edge on 46. India’s failure to close the door cost them.
Within minutes Brook was cutting Prasidh Krishna square for four and, two balls later, depositing him over mid-wicket for six. The tempo set, he worked his way to a 65-ball fifty – his second in three Test knocks at Headingley – with a gentle nudge to long-on. By lunch England had chiselled the deficit down and, crucially, held seven wickets in hand.
India did show greater discipline than on Saturday. Mohammed Siraj, bowling from the Kirkstall Lane End, beat the bat often enough to keep England honest and was rewarded when he found Ben Stokes’ edge for a workmanlike 20. The dismissal prompted the captain to fling bat and gloves skywards in the sort of exasperation usually saved for a mis-field.
Prasidh accounted for Ollie Pope, whose overnight century crept to 106 before a feather behind. “I just hung it there and let the slope do the rest,” the tall seamer said between sessions, pleased that his fuller length finally drew a mistake.
Ravindra Jadeja locked up one end, wheeling through ten overs unchanged. He might have had Brook again on 46 but Pant fumbled the chance; moments later Jamie Smith’s inside edge brushed past the close fielder. “We created openings,” Jadeja sighed. “Catching is part of the job, though.”
Jasprit Bumrah, operating in two short bursts after the ball was replaced, could not add to his overnight three-for. The second new ball is due straight after lunch; India will fancy a quick clatter then, but England, still over 100 adrift, have Brook unbeaten and eyeing much more.
