🏏 Root & Pope Anchor England After Reddy’s Early Storm – Day 1, 3rd Test at Lord’s
Cricket fans were in for a rollercoaster on Day 1 of the third Test match between England and India at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. What began as a promising morning for India, thanks to a fiery spell by Nitish Reddy, was soon steadied by a calm and determined partnership between England’s dependable duo — Joe Root and Ollie Pope.
🇮🇳 Reddy Rocks England Early with a Double Blow
England’s innings started cautiously but turned shaky when Nitish Kumar Reddy, playing only his second Test, struck gold in his very first over.
- First, he dismissed Ben Duckett with a delivery that strayed down the leg side and found the edge, caught cleanly by Rishabh Pant.
- Then, on the very next ball, he bowled a beauty to remove Zak Crawley, who edged it straight to the slips.
These quick wickets reduced England to 44/2, giving India an early advantage and sending a buzz through the Lord’s crowd.
🏏 Root and Pope: Calm Amid the Storm
With two wickets down and the pressure mounting, Joe Root and Ollie Pope walked in with a clear plan — to rebuild steadily and not give India any more early breakthroughs.
They did just that. With textbook defence and patient strokeplay, the pair began to stabilize the innings.
🔹 Root’s Experience Shines Through
- Joe Root played with composure, picking gaps smartly and rotating the strike.
- He reached his 50th Test half-century at Lord’s, underlining his status as one of the game’s greats.
- At tea, he was unbeaten on 54 runs off 109 balls.
🔹 Pope’s Grit and Focus
- Ollie Pope, returning from injury, looked solid at the crease.
- Despite a shaky start, he grew into his innings and supported Root brilliantly.
- He remained unbeaten on 44 off 103 balls at tea.
Together, they put up an unbroken 109-run partnership, which changed the momentum of the game completely.
🧠 A Strategic Shift: No ‘Bazball’ Today
Interestingly, England took a break from their aggressive “Bazball” approach. There were no wild shots or risky counters. Instead, Root and Pope opted for:
- Patience over power
- Defence over domination
- Long-term gains over short-term flair
This tactical shift showed England’s ability to adapt based on match situations — a sign of a mature and evolving side.
💡 India’s Bowling Effort: Early Fire, Then Fade
India started strong, with Bumrah, Siraj, and debutant Mukesh Kumar bowling tight lines. But once the ball got softer and the pitch flattened out, they struggled to break through.
Nitish Reddy was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets for 35 runs in 7 overs.
A minor concern for India came when wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant left the field with a finger niggle, though early reports suggest it’s nothing serious.
☕ Tea Time Summary: England Fights Back
| Session | Score | Top Scorer | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea | 153/2 | Joe Root – 54* | Reddy’s double strike, then rebuild |
After a shaky start, England now holds a strong position going into the final session of the day.
📝 Final Thoughts
Cricket is often a game of momentum shifts, and Day 1 at Lord’s was a prime example. Just when India seemed to have the upper hand, Root and Pope turned the tide with grit and grace.
Fans can expect more drama on Day 2, with England looking to build a big first innings total, while India will search for that one breakthrough to open the floodgates.