LONDON: Harry Brook’s aggressive brand of cricket came crashing down at Lord’s on Day 4 of the third Test, as the England batter threw his wicket away while attempting a premeditated sweep against Akash Deep. Former Sri Lanka captain and Sky Sports pundit Kumar Sangakkara didn’t hold back in his assessment, labelling Brook’s approach as “arrogance” rather than Bazball.
“It is just arrogance. Not even Bazball,” Sangakkara said bluntly. “Harry scored 15 runs against Akash Deep and then played a silly shot — that’s arrogance.”
Brook, who had counter-attacked with flair by hitting Akash Deep for three consecutive boundaries — including a majestic straight six — was bowled for 23 off 19 balls. Attempting an audacious sweep to a full delivery angled in at middle stump, Brook missed completely as the ball crashed into the stumps behind his legs. His dismissal reduced England to 98/4 at lunch, with India surging back into the contest.
With both teams scoring 387 in the first innings, England’s slender lead of 98 runs at lunch looked increasingly fragile as India pushed for a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series.
Earlier in the session, Mohammed Siraj had lit up Lord’s with a fiery spell, dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. Siraj convinced captain Shubman Gill to take a review after trapping Pope in front — a successful DRS call that sparked wild celebrations. He also gave Duckett a send-off laced with aggression, celebrating in the batter’s face with a shoulder bump after removing him cheaply.
Agencies