By News18
Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad believes India remains in control of the second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series, despite a remarkable 165-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Jamie Smith and Harry Brook, which took the hosts to 249/5 in 47 overs.
At Edgbaston on Friday, Smith scored a sensational 80-ball century, his second in this format, and remained unbeaten on 102, while Brook was 91 not out. England staged an impressive recovery from 84/5 by hitting all Indian bowlers around the park.
India vs England: 2nd Test, Day 3 鈥 Live Score
鈥淎 brilliant start to the day for India with Mohammed Siraj making those breakthroughs (of Ben Stokes and Joe Root) so early. It was all India, so the way Harry Brook and Jamie Smith have built has been amazing. Smith came out on a hat-trick ball, probably the most pressurised situation he鈥檚 been in wearing an England shirt, and is now on a century.鈥
鈥淲hen Smith came in, WinViz had England at one per cent. That鈥檚 as low as you can get and as far behind in the game you can be. It鈥檚 been an amazing partnership from Smith and Brook, but England are still way behind in this game. India are still controlling everything,鈥 said Broad on Sky Sports鈥 broadcast during lunch break.
He also felt the timing of the break came at a great moment for the visitors.
鈥淚 watched the India team walk off, and their body language was really down. This session belongs to England. Yes, they lost two in two, but the way they have played since then has been outstanding.鈥
鈥淭hings are happening so quickly when you鈥檙e out in the middle, and you just need to sit down and have a think. This lunch break has come at a really good time for India,鈥 added Broad.
What Was DK鈥檚 Response?
Dinesh Karthik, the former India wicketkeeper-batter, further analysed how Smith dismantled India鈥檚 bowling plans. 鈥淚t was beautiful to come out there, not think a lot, and react to the ball. Smith is very instinctive and very old-school in the way he uses his feet. He can slog-sweep and isn鈥檛 an easy guy to bowl to because anything slightly towards his area, fuller or shorter, he puts away.鈥
Broad concluded by praising Brook as a wonderful player. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 really notice Brook, I was focusing on Smith, but Brook has played beautifully. He鈥檚 a wonderful, wonderful player. Sometimes we question when he uses his feet, and you think he doesn鈥檛 need to, but he鈥檚 a wonderful, wonderful player.鈥
(With inputs from IANS)