The ICC World No. 2 Check batter and England’s middle-order mainstay Harry Brook is assured of his crew chasing down any complete set by the Indian crew within the Birmingham Check. India ended Day 3 of the second Check (Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy) with a wholesome 244-run lead over England with 9 wickets left on Friday at Edgbaston.
“I nonetheless assume we are able to win this Check match, to be sincere. I consider if we take a few early wickets tomorrow and put them below strain and hopefully they’ll crumble up there and all people is aware of on this planet that we’re going to attempt to chase no matter they set us, so we’ll see how they play,” mentioned Brook to BBC after his marathon 303-run partnership with wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith.
England have been wanting down the barrels after they left India to attain 587 within the first innings. When the day began, Joe Root and skipper Ben Stokes fell on successive deliveries off Siraj, leaving England at 84 for 5. From there, Brook and Smith triggered a ruthless counter-attack, taking England previous 400 with their 303-run stand. Brook scored 158 earlier than being cleaned up by Akash Deep, whereas Smith remained unbeaten at 184, decreasing the house aspect’s deficit to lower than 200.
“It was good to spend a while on the market with Smudge [Jamie Smith]. He has a protracted England profession forward of him. Hopefully we’ve clawed ourselves again within the recreation. He performed phenomenally properly there. He put all of the momentum again in our favour,” mentioned Brook.
“If I hadn’t acquired out we’d not be on this scenario now however we noticed final week how rapidly it may well change. Akash and Siraj bowled properly. They attacked the stumps with all modes of dismissal in play,” he added.
In reply, India began their second innings confidently earlier than opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was trapped in entrance by Josh Tongue.
“Fortunately we’ve seen the again of Jaiswal and hopefully we are able to make inroads tomorrow. India are within the driving seat however hopefully we are able to put strain with early wickets and make them crumble,” mentioned Brook.