Jonny Bairstow hits his third century in as many matches to continue his stunning run of form… but England are bowled out for 284 before tea as they concede a heavy deficit in the first innings against India
- Jonny Bairstow continued his stunning form against India on Sunday
- Bairstow hit 106 to complete his third century of the English summer
- England were eventually bowled out for 284, leaving them 132 runs adrift after the first innings
- James Anderson dismissed Shubman Gill in the first over of the India second innings
Jonny Bairstow was at his brilliant best again on Sunday as he bludgeoned his way to another hundred against India at Edgbaston, but England still face an uphill task to level the series after being bowled out for 284 in response to India’s 416.
The 32-year-old has now hit three centuries in as many matches this summer, and is enjoying a golden period in his Test career.
He started the morning alongside captain Ben Stokes, and the pair took an ultra-positive approach to try to bring the hosts back into the game.
Bairstow took India’s bowling attack apart during a brilliant batting display on Sunday morning
He was aggressive from the outset, clearing the ropes on multiple occasions
Bairstow completed his century just after lunch, the 11th hundred of his Test career
Bairstow looked in phenomenal touch once again, crunching shots over the off and leg side.
Stokes also tried to be aggressive, but could not find his timing, and he was given two lives after being dropped by Shardul Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah.
It was third time lucky for India, though, when Stokes took the aerial route again off Thakur, with Bumrah diving to his left to take a stunning catch.
Shardul Thakur dropped a simple catch which would have dismissed Ben Stokes
Thakur could not believe that he had given the England captain a life early on in his innings
However, Thakur got his revenge when he had Stokes caught by Jasprit Bumrah
Bairstow had moved to 91 by lunch, and he completed his 11th Test match ton after the interval, but he did not hang around much longer as he chased a wide delivery from Mohammed Shami and edged to Virat Kohli at first slip.
Stuart Broad came in looking for quick runs, but could only add a solitary single before his attempted pull shot went straight up into the air and was caught by Rishabh Pant.
Sam Billings chipped in with a useful 36, but he chopped on an inswinger from Mohammed Siraj, and Matthew Potts was the last man out as he was caught at slip.
With an advantage of 132 heading into the second innings, Shubman Gill played an exquisite straight drive to get off the mark, but was on his way back to the dressing room the following ball when he prodded at an Anderson delivery and was caught by Zak Crawley.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari managed to see India through to tea, with the visitors 37-1, 169 runs ahead.
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