Dale Steyn opines after Bumrah launches barrage of short balls against Anderson

Some riveting action unfolded between England and India on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test, as the hosts gained a 27-run lead after dismissing India on 364 in the first innings. England skipper Joe Root shone bright with a stellar century, his fourth at Lord’s, an unbeaten 180, which ensured that England managed to surpass India’s first innings tally.

While the day was defined by Root’s mastery against the Indian bowlers, all of whom he tested and tired with panache, not looking troubled even once, there was an interesting battle towards the fag end of the day between two No. 11s, as Jasprit Bumrah bowled to veteran James Anderson.

A confusion between Mark Wood and Root led to the run-out of the former, which brought Anderson in, with only a little over half an hour left in the day’s play. Having struck Siraj for a boundary on the final delivery of the 125th over, Root left the veteran pacer to face Bumrah, who launched a barrage of short balls and bouncers against Anderson. Bumrah’s very first struck him on the helmet before he had to be checked for a concussion.

That did not deter the Indian pacer from following up with another short one as he rammed one into Anderson’s rib, with him not managing to connect the ball. If the 39-year-old expected a yorker after two searing short deliveries, he was in for a surprise as Bumrah once again banged the ball in short, although this time Anderson did manage to awkwardly fend it off.

The fourth ball of the over, a no-ball for overstepping, was again dug in short, before Bumrah finally shifted to bowling fuller ones and yorkers towards the end of the over. Incidentally, he bowled as many as four no-balls in the over, making Anderson face more deliveries in a nervy passage of play.

While a steadfast Anderson dealt with blows and did not give his wicket away to Bumrah, who had cleaned him up at Trent Bridge, he was undone by Mohammed Shami as Root was left stranded on 180. Meanwhile, Dale Steyn had an interesting take after the audacious show from Bumrah.

Jimmy gana be begging for the ball when Jasprit comes in to bat…

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) August 14, 2021