England edge past India in low-scoring thriller at Lords to take series lead
LONDON: Returning pace spearhead Jofra Archer and captain Ben Stokes starred as England successfully defended a modest target of 193, clinching a tense 22-run win over India in the third Test of the five-match series at Lord’s on Monday.
Chasing 193 for victory, India’s batting line-up faltered and folded for 170 despite a resilient half-century by Ravindra Jadeja lower down the order.
India began the final day on 58/4 with first-innings centurion KL Rahul and in-form wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant at the crease. However, they could only add 13 more runs before Archer struck early, castling Pant for nine in the fourth over of the day.
Stokes then dealt another big blow three overs later, trapping Rahul lbw for 39 off 58 balls, an innings that included six boundaries.
India’s hopes dwindled further when Archer removed Washington Sundar for a duck with a stunning return catch, leaving the visitors reeling at 82/7.
A brief fightback followed as Nitish Kumar Reddy joined Jadeja for a gritty 30-run stand that nudged India past the 100-run mark. But Reddy fell for 13 from 53 balls just before lunch, deepening India’s woes.
Jadeja then stitched together a defiant 35-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Jasprit Bumrah, who made a dogged five off 54 deliveries before falling to Stokes in the second session.
Trying to eke out the remaining runs, Jadeja added another 13 for the last wicket with Mohammed Siraj, who fell to Shoaib Bashir in unusual fashion in the fifth over after tea, sealing India’s fate at 170 all out.
Jadeja was left stranded on 61 not out from 181 balls, an innings featuring four boundaries and a six.
Archer and Stokes were England’s heroes with three wickets each. Brydon Carse chipped in with two, while Chris Woakes and Bashir claimed a wicket apiece.
For his decisive impact with both bat and ball, Stokes was named Player of the Match.
The hard-fought win gives England a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, with the fourth Test set to begin at Old Trafford in Manchester from July 23 to 27.
