3rd Test: England close first innings on 453 with 320-run lead over Pakistan

Birmingham (Web Desk): England tightened their grip on the third Test at Edgbaston on Thursday, putting Pakistan under severe pressure as their inexperienced bowling unit struggled to contain the hosts.

Already 2-0 ahead in the three-match series, England were eventually dismissed for 453 on the second day, establishing a massive 320-run first-innings advantage and moving closer to completing a series sweep.

The hosts came out firing on a bright morning in Birmingham, with Dan Lawrence bringing up his fifty from just 47 deliveries after striking eight boundaries during his brisk stay at the crease.

England, however, suffered an unexpected setback when Harry Brook was run out for 75 while edging closer to another Test hundred. Brook reacted angrily to the dismissal, throwing his bat into the air as his 86-run partnership with Lawrence came to an end, leaving England at 229-5.

Jamie Smith initially found it difficult to maintain the scoring rate after walking in, but the aggressive batter soon made his intentions clear. He charged spinner Saim Ayub and launched the delivery straight over the bowler’s head for a towering six.

Lawrence’s innings came to an end for 65 shortly before the lunch interval when he chopped Mohammad Imran’s delivery onto his own stumps, giving the Pakistan all-rounder his first wicket in Test cricket.

Imran struck again soon after the break, bowling Gus Atkinson for 19. Despite the weather beginning to turn cloudy, England’s middle and lower order continued to pile on the runs and keep Pakistan’s bowlers on the defensive.

Smith’s entertaining knock finally ended at 69 when he was caught and bowled by debutant Razaullah. The young seamer celebrated enthusiastically after securing his third Test wicket on debut.

Ollie Robinson then produced a rapid half-century, reaching 50 from only 47 balls, while Jofra Archer added further damage with a quick 32. Razaullah was Pakistan’s standout bowler, finishing with figures of 4-148.

Pakistan were once again left fighting to prevent another defeat, with the tourists attempting to avoid a 16th loss in their last 21 Tests during an increasingly difficult tour.

Their campaign had already undergone major changes following the 194-run defeat in the second Test. Pakistan released seven players and removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul from their positions before making four alterations to the playing XI for the Birmingham encounter.

The revamped Pakistan side nevertheless folded for only 133 in their first innings. Their batting struggles continued as they failed to pass the 200-run mark for the fifth successive innings in England, while none of their first five batters managed to reach double figures.

Pakistan had made an early breakthrough by reducing England to 39-3, but opener Emilio Gay absorbed the pressure and steadied the innings with a composed 60 on Wednesday before losing his wicket.

A 3-0 series triumph would provide a significant boost to Joe Root as he begins his second tenure as England’s permanent captain.

The team had been going through a period of uncertainty only weeks earlier after suffering a series defeat against New Zealand and parting ways with head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.