England vs India: Third Test at Lord’s hanging in the balance

England’s tireless efforts were finally rewarded to leave a tetchy third Test against India hanging in the balance after three days at Lord’s.

In sweltering conditions, England took the last four India wickets for 11 runs to dismiss the tourists for 387, meaning the scores were level on first innings.

The home side looked set to be defied by Ravindra Jadeja, but after he was caught down the leg side by Chris Woakes for 72, England surged.

Woakes, so prolific on this ground, ended with three wickets, while Jofra Archer’s pace deserved more than the 2-52 he claimed on Test comeback.

In the lengthening shadows, Zak Crawley used some creative time-wasting tactics to ensure England faced only one over, bowled by Jasprit Bumrah. Tempers flared, England closed 2-0.

Earlier, opener KL Rahul completed a controlled 100 and Rishabh Pant made 74, while Jadeja shared vitals stands of 72 with Nitish Kumar Reddy and 50 with Washington Sundar.

As usual, England found inspiration from captain Ben Stokes. Stokes produced a stunning direct hit to run out Pant and, in a tireless spell after tea, found the venom to have Reddy caught behind.

Crucially, England had already missed three opportunities to run out Reddy and one to dismiss Jadeja.

Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir spent a prolonged period off the field with an injury to his left little finger.

It is not his bowling hand, so he should be fit for the fourth innings, when he would be important in a potential England push for victory.