Woakes scores century as England takes charge

LONDON: Chris Woakes struck a maiden test century and Jonny Bairstow added 93 as England dominated the third day of the second test at Lord’s yesterday, reaching 357 for six to open up a 250run lead over India.

Arriving at the crease with England 131 for five, Woakes — back in the side as a replacement for Ben Stokes — scored freely in a partnership of 189 with Bairstow, bringing up his century with a pull for three.

Bairstow looked set to join him in getting his name on the Lords’ honours board, but the Yorkshireman fell for 93, caught excellently by wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik after he nicked a Hardik Pandya delivery.

Woakes, who ended the day unbeaten on 120, struck 18 boundaries at the home of cric ket. He was joined at the crease by effervescent youngster Sam Curran (22 not out) who again looked confident after impressing with both bat and ball in the opening test at Edgbaston.

Bad light brought proceedings to a close with England in a commanding lead.

Earlier, the home side had stumbled to 89 for four in reply to India’s first innings of 107.

In the eighth over, Keaton Jennings missed a straight delivery by Mohammed Shami and was trapped lbw for 11.

In the following over, Alastair Cook (21) was caught behind after he nicked a swinging delivery from Ishant Sharma which brought 20yearold debutant Ollie Pope to the crease. The righthander played some positive strokes as he looked to rebuild alongside captain Joe Root, but as lunch approached he was trapped lbw by Pandya.

Root was watchful for much of his innings until his dismissal by Shami, lbw for 19.

Jos Buttler was the one wicket to fall in an afternoon session dominated by England, trapped lbw for a breezy 24 by Shami who claimed three wickets. — Reuters