Bairstow, in what remarkably was his first red-ball innings of the season had looked increasingly fluent until Shami's nip-backer struck him in front of the stumps, although it needed an India review to confirm his dismissal. But three balls later, having squandered one review, India captain Virat Kohli called for the replay again after an appeal for caught behind had been turned down by umpire Richard Kettleborough. At lunch, England were 61-2 with Sibley 18 not out and the fluent Root unbeaten on 12, including three fours. Sibley, however, fell tamely when, having faced 70 balls, he chipped Shami straight to KL Rahul at short midwicket. Apart from a mix-up with Bairstow that nearly led to a run out, Root cut an assured figure at the crease.

Source: News 24 August 04, 2021 10:11 UTC