In an exhilarating conclusion to the 3rd Test of the India tour of England, England snatched an incredible 22 run victory at Lord’s, led by Ben Stokes phenomenal all round match, and the fiery return of Jofra Archer. It was a thrilling test match from start to finish, with England defending a small target of 193, bowling India out for 170, and will long be remembered for a testing and high intensity match where every run and half run mattered.
Stokes (Player of the Match) scored 44 and 33 with the bat, and had key bowling figures of 2/63 and 3/48. He literally pushed his body to the edge, bowled long and tough spells whilst under pressure, and dictated the tone for a lively England side.
India started the final day 135 runs short with six wickets in hand, and immediately ran into a furious England attack taking three wickets for 11 runs in the morning. Archer, returning after four years on the sidelines, made a strong impression early in a fiery spell which dismissed Rishabh Pant, priming India for the difficult chase ahead.
Even if everyone collapsed, Ravindra Jadeja stood tall with his unbeaten 61 — his fourth consecutive fifty, which almost brought India home. He bravely fought through sledges, cramps, and the weight of a nation’s hopes, putting on a stubborn knock of 31 with Jasprit Bumrah for the ninth wicket. But Stokes’ plan of bowling short worked, resulting in Bumrah eventually top-edging a hook to the keeper.
Then came the final defining moment, when Shoaib Bashir bowled Mohammed Siraj to seal victory for England. As England’s players, and Stokes too fatigued to celebrate, erupted into madness, they were a micro-illustration of the emotional weight and physical toll this match had taken on them in one of those all time classic contests.
Earlier in the game Joe Root had set them up with a century in the first innings, and Jasprit Bumrah had taken five wickets, but it was England’s spirit, building under the insistence of Stokes, that made the difference.
With tempers flaring, sledges flying, and emotions laid out bare, this Test was an absorbing reminder of the beauty of the game, and that the series is now loaded with intensity for the remainder of it, with both teams thoroughly believing they can win, and fans craving more.
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