Smith and Brook pile on the runs as England inch towards India's total
BIRMINGHAM, England - England's Jamie Smith and Harry Brook turned Edgbaston into their personal playground as their unbeaten 271-run partnership crushed the India bowling attack's spirit on Friday and cut the tourists' lead to 232 runs at tea on day three.
After England's horror start saw them slump to 84-5, the pair transformed the innings in a masterclass of counter-attacking cricket, guiding the hosts to 355-5 in a fruitless second session for India's bowlers.
Brook was batting on 140 not out while Smith was unbeaten on 157 at tea.
Brook had endured a heartbreaking dismissal on 99 in the first test victory at Headingley, but this time there was no stopping him as he and Smith looked completely at ease in building their sixth-wicket stand.
The 26-year-old Brook brought up his ninth test century in the second session with a boundary, raising his bat and helmet to the crowd before pointing his bat at the heavens, dedicating his hundred to his late grandmother Pauline who died in March.
Smith, who had smashed England's third-fastest test century before lunch, continued his rampage by passing 150 for the first time in his test career.
Fortune favoured Brook as he even scored with the back of his bat when he attempted a low pull shot and the ball went over Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant's head for four.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE
Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong
Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches
Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case
Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike surprises some amid moderating property market, but is ultimately prudent
Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work
Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT
Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church
It was a long toil in the sun for India, who had started the day perfectly when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Joe Root and captain Ben Stokes in consecutive deliveries in the day's second over.
Stokes's golden duck, his first in 200 test innings, meant three of England's top six were dismissed without scoring following Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope's ducks off consecutive deliveries from Akash Deep late on day two.
But from that moment of promise, it became England's day as Smith and Brook worked together to bring the hosts closer to a big score to avoid the follow-on.
India's frustration also boiled over as they misfielded on a number of occasions while attempts to change the ball, claiming it had lost its shape, were denied by the umpires. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
UK's Palestine Action loses bid to pause ban as terrorist group
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LONDON - Pro-Palestinian campaign group Palestine Action's co-founder on Friday lost a bid to pause the British government's decision to ban the group under anti-terrorism laws, though the group is launching an urgent appeal. Huda Ammori, who helped found Palestine Action in 2020, asked London's High Court to stop the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation, before a full hearing of her case that banning the group is unlawful later this month. British lawmakers this week decided to ban Palestine Action after its activists broke into a Royal Air Force base and damaged two planes in protest against what the group says is Britain's support for Israel. Proscription would make it a crime to be a member of Palestine Action that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Palestine Action has increasingly targeted Israel-linked companies in Britain, often spraying red paint, blocking entrances or damaging equipment. The group accuses the British government of complicity in what it says are Israeli war crimes in its ongoing bombardment of Gaza. Israel has repeatedly denied committing abuses in its war in Gaza, which began after Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Ammori's lawyer Raza Husain said the proscription marked the first time Britain had sought to ban a group carrying out such direct action, describing it as "an ill-considered, discriminatory, authoritarian abuse of statutory power". Critics of the government's decision, including some United Nations experts and civil liberties groups, have also argued that damaging property does not amount to terrorism. DEFENCE FIRMS TARGETED The group has particularly focused on Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems and Britain's government cited a raid at an Elbit site last year when it decided to proscribe the group. The decision to ban the group came as four members were charged over the incident at the RAF Brize Norton air base, in which military planes were sprayed with red paint. Husain said that was the only example of action targeting a government or military facility and all previous incidents were against private companies to support his argument against designating Palestine Action as terrorist. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Britain's interior minister, has said that violence and criminal damage have no place in legitimate protest and that Palestine Action's activities pass the threshold for proscription. Judge Martin Chamberlain ruled against Ammori's bid to pause the ban, meaning the proscription of Palestine Action will come into force at midnight. Husain asked for a temporary pause until Monday pending an appeal but Chamberlain refused, saying: "You are going to have to trouble the Court of Appeal tonight." Ammori said in a statement that "we are seeking an urgent appeal to try to prevent a dystopian nightmare of the government's making". REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Yego battles to keep javelin's future alive in Kenya
Julius Yego, the former world champion famously known as "Mr. YouTube", faces a lonely battle to preserve javelin's future in Kenya as he prepares for Saturday's Neeraj Chopra Classic with the weight of an entire sport on his shoulders. The 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist stands as Kenya's sole representative in javelin at World Athletics Championships, a contrast to his country's dominance in distance running that has produced athletes like Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon. "India, of course, being a very big economy, has really been able to help Chopra. I would say maybe the Kenyan story is a little bit different because there isn't much support in the sport as such," Yego told Reuters. "You can see it's only me who is still there. I'm in the last stages of my career and then we haven't got big support as I would want it to happen, but hopefully it will continue. "I can't even push when I'm not there (retired). So I can't even be part of the people who really want to make the change when I'm not active," added 36-year-old Yego, who won the world title in 2015. Coming from countries with less exposure in athletics, Yego finds kinship with Chopra in their shared mission to expand javelin globally. "We want to make the sport grow even bigger because it is a footprint that matters a lot. What we have done so far and what will happen after us, we want the sport to continue even when we are no longer there," the 36-year-old said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church With the worlds looming in Tokyo in September, Yego said he was operating at "90% fitness" due to injury concerns and with a couple of months to go before the competition starts, he does not want to rush into anything. The Kenyan also reflected on his country's depth of talent in athletics, praising triple world and Olympic 1,500 metres champion Kipyegon's recent achievements. Kipyegon last month fell short in her attempt to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes when she clocked 4:06.42 in a Nike "Breaking4" project that, though faster than her own world record, will not be ratified. "Kenya has big talent, especially in track. Faith's done so well. She's done great in her push to break the four-minute barrier," he said. However, he expressed a particular interest in nurturing "the next generation of javelin throwers." Apart from Yego, Irene Jepkemboi can be his country's next hope in the sport after she became the first Kenyan female athlete to surpass the 60-metre mark in the javelin last month. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
India lead England by 244 runs in Edgbaston test after Smith's 184
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox BIRMINGHAM, England - India finished day three of the second test on 64-1 to lead England by 244 runs after they dismissed the hosts for 407 in the first innings at Edgbaston on Friday despite Jamie Smith's commanding and unbeaten knock of 184. After England's horror start saw them slump to 84-5, Smith and Harry Brook transformed the innings in a masterclass of counter-attacking cricket as both smashed centuries in a crucial sixth-wicket partnership worth a precious 303 runs. But England's remarkable fightback ended in spectacular fashion when their last five wickets tumbled for just 20 runs after the new ball breathed life into the Indian fast bowlers. "Up until I got out I felt like we were almost clawing it back but our tail had a collapse, as we saw with them," Brook, who scored 158, told Sky Sports. "It was good to spend some time out there with Smudge (Smith), he's got a long career ahead with England and he's a phenomenal player." Racing along at nearly seven runs an over under floodlights, India's openers had brought up their 50-run partnership in no time before Josh Tongue struck to trap Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw, sparking immediate controversy. Jaiswal conferred with opening partner KL Rahul whether to review the decision and when he finally did, England skipper Ben Stokes argued that the timer had already run down as the crowd booed. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case Asia JB petrol station shooting: Dead man with bullet wounds dumped at hospital Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church But the review stood and India eventually lost it as the ball had been heading straight for leg stump, bringing Karun Nair to the crease. Rahul (28) and Nair (seven) were at the crease at the end of day's play, with a light drizzle threatening to spoil the party over the weekend with the match delicately poised. ENGLAND COLLAPSE In the first innings, Brook's heroic innings came to an end when Akash Deep (4-88) had him bowled off a delivery that jagged back and hit the top of off stump. Brook, who had been struggling with cramp after tea, walked off to the sound of the Edgbaston crowd singing his name. The collapse rapidly gathered pace as Deep struck again when Chris Woakes edged to the slips where Nair took another smart catch. Mohammed Siraj then completed a devastating spell by trapping both Brydon Carse and Tongue lbw for ducks to complete a five-wicket haul. Last man Shoaib Bashir was welcomed with a bouncer to the helmet from Siraj, which required England to assess him due to the concussion protocol, but he was bowled off the next delivery. As Siraj finished with figures of 6-70, Smith was left stranded on 184, a magnificent performance overshadowed by the team's stunning capitulation that saw six England batters departing for ducks. PERSONAL PLAYGROUND Earlier, Smith and Brook had turned Edgbaston into their personal playground as their partnership crushed the India bowling attack's spirit. Brook had endured a heartbreaking dismissal on 99 in the first test victory at Headingley, but this time there was no stopping him as he and Smith looked completely at ease in building their stand. "We didn't speak too much. Everyone knows that we're quite positive players and would look to take the bowlers on. That ebbed and flowed throughout our innings," Brook said. "He obviously came out of the blocks quick, as I did the night before. It was just about deciding when to go." The 26-year-old Brook brought up his ninth test century in the second session with a boundary, raising his bat and helmet to the crowd before pointing his bat at the heavens, dedicating his hundred to his late grandmother Pauline who died in March. It was a long toil in the sun for India, who had started the day perfectly when Siraj dismissed Joe Root and Stokes in consecutive deliveries in the day's second over. Stokes's golden duck, his first in 200 test innings, meant three of England's top six were dismissed without scoring, following Ben Duckett's and Ollie Pope's ducks off consecutive deliveries from Deep late on day two. REUTERS
