Root nears century, England 216-3 on Day 3 vs. India
LONDON (AP) - Joe Root was closing in on a century as England reached lunch on 216-3 on Day 3 of the second test against India without losing a wicket in the morning session Saturday.
Root was 89 not out and sharing an unbeaten 108-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow (51). The fourth-wicket pair added 97 in the day's opening session at Lord's.
Root has three successive scores of 50 or more in the series. It was Bairstow's first half-century in tests in two years, a stretch dating back 20 innings.
England is 148 runs adrift of India's first-innings total of 364 all out.
The first test was drawn.
India´s frustrations in the field were not helped when a champagne cork made its way onto the playing surface, where KL Rahul was stationed in the deep.
England's Joe Root looks up to the stands as a steward is distracting play during the third day of the 2nd cricket test between England and India at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
At the end of the over, he made his dissatisfaction clear and there was a brief conversation with the umpires.
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England's Joe Root hits out off the bowling of India's Mohdohammed Shami during the third day of the 2nd cricket test between England and India at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
England's Jonny Bairstow celebrates after getting 50 not out during the third day of the 2nd cricket test between England and India at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
