🏏England vs India, 3rd Test Day 5, Lords - Jul10- 14 - Page 32

Nayab: "England need to get both of these batsmen out and they have a very short period of maybe 5-10 more overs to do so before the Dukes ball get soft."

Nitish Reddy having some pickle juice by the looks of it.

Slowly, he is gaining momentum, at least 50 he has to score.

Stokes to Nitish Reddy, no run, Nitish Reddy is down on the floor. He is hit hard on the helmet. A break in play. Superb short ball, following Nitish all the time, he tries to go down but is late

Reddy has what looks like an ice pace on his left cheek. Helmet needs to be replaced.

Jay: "How much time till tea?" Five minutes. Ravi Shastri suggests they can pull tea back for a bit

Fawad: "Short ball barrage incoming after 89.2" Mel Jones suggests it Reddy might be shaken up and England might want another crack

Solid session for India. Stranded on 98, KL Rahul became the only Indian opener to hit multiple hundreds at Lord's. He, however, gifted his wicket away soon after (10th ball post-lunch) to Bashir and left the visitors in a spot of bother at 254/5. The luck was shining bright on Nitish though who escaped 3 run-out chances to stitch a crucial unbeaten 62-run stand with Jadeja. England tried everything - short bursts for Archer twice who bowled quite rapidly. Short ball tactic. Teasing channels with the new ball. And knocking Nitish on the helmet grille 10 minutes before tea - But they failed to be consistent with their plan. If anything, India's biggest concern would be the running between the wickets. Both Jadeja and Nitish clearly weren't in sync on most occasions whilst trying to nab a quick single. England took the new ball right at the instant it was available, but the surface seems to have mellowed down and not too much has happened in terms of movement or uneven bounce. Back in 20 for the final session...

Guru: "I know NKR is shaken up, but England are wasting new ball here with it just being 10 overs old, having field for short balls isnt a great game plan." Think the plan is to pepper in the odd full ball ball as Stokes did here

Shweta: "Nervous period! Hope India does not lose another wicket at stroke of tea! "

ENG 387

IND

(91 ov) 316/5

Day 3 - Session 2: India trail by 71 runs.

CRR: 3.47

• Last 10 ov (RR): 25/0 (2.50)