England moved to within 26 runs of India after fifties from Ollie Pope and Joe Root helped the hosts extend their supremacy in the fourth Test after a dominant opening session on Day 3 at Old Trafford, Manchester. It was another tough session for the Indian bowlers, who toiled hard in sunny conditions but went wicketless as England added 107 to their overnight score of 225/2 to reach 332 for 2 at Lunch.
After Duckett and Crawley had set the tone on Day 2 with a superb opening stand of 166, Root and Pope continued the good work on Day 3 with an unbeaten partnership of 135 runs. Both batters started cautiously but kept the scoreboard ticking with regular rotation of strike. Any loose ball was met with punishment as the Indians, except for a half-chance, spent their time chasing leather.
Pope got a lifeline on 48 when Dhruv Jurel, replacement keeper for injured Rishabh Pant, dropped a tough chance standing up to the stumps off Anshul Kamboj’s bowling. Pope capitalised on the lifeline and went to Lunch on 70 while Root was batting on 63.
Root only behind Sachin and Ponting
Root also reached a big milestone in the first hour of play, surpassing Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis to become the third-highest run-getter in Tests. The English batter is only behind Australian great Ricky Ponting (13378) and India legend Sachin Tendulkar (15921) in the highest run-getters list.
With well-set Root and Pope at the crease and eight England batters, including the likes of Harry Brook, Jamie Smith and Ben Stokes in the hut, India would be hoping for a miraculous recovery in the second session to stay afloat in the match.