Jamie Smith, Harry Brook lead England's stunning counterpunch

 

Jamie Smith, Harry Brook lead England's stunning counterpunch

Jamie Smith's 102*, well supported by Harry Brook's 91*, saw England consolidate to 249/5 after a double-jolt early on Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test. Mohammad Siraj took out Joe Root and Ben Stokes on successive deliveries in his very first over, but a brisk 165-run unbroken partnership between the sixth-wicket pair kept India at bay for the rest of the morning session on Friday (July 4). It was an ominous start for the hosts who found themselves under immense pressure 10 balls into the session. First to depart was Root, who tried to flick a leg-side delivery and tickled it to the left of Rishabh Pant behind the stumps. Stokes was then greeted with a mean short ball first up from Siraj that climbed on him awkwardly and kissed the handle of his bat on his way to the 'keeper. Read More