Siraj's double strike leaves England reeling in second Test

Pallade Veneta - Siraj's double strike leaves England reeling in second Test

SPORTS 04.07.2025

Siraj's double strike leaves England reeling in second Test / Photo: Darren Staples - AFP

Mohammed Siraj took two wickets in two balls, including dismissing England captain Ben Stokes for a golden duck, as India strengthened their grip on the second Test at Edgbaston on Friday.

Change text size:

England started the third day on 77-3, still a mammoth 510 runs behind India's first-innings 567 built on captain Shubman Gill's superb 269.

They now looked to Joe Root (18 not out) and Harry Brook (30 not out), the world's two top-ranked Test batsmen, to narrow the deficit.

But in just Friday's second over, Root (22) glanced at fast bowler Siraj only to be caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

And the very next ball, Stokes was undone by a superb rising delivery from Siraj he could only edge to Pant, with England now 84-5.

But just as Akash Deep was denied a hat-trick late Thursday after dismissing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope for ducks, so too was Siraj with new batsman Jamie Smith off-driving his first ball Friday for four.

India's performance in the field was all the more impressive as they had rested spearhead quick Jasprit Bumrah from their side at Edgbaston.

They had done so in order to protect the fitness of the world's number one-ranked Test bowler in a series where he is expected to feature in just three out of five matches.

England are 1-0 up after a five-wicket win in the first Test at Headingley.

M.Jacobucci--PV

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Dianna Russini Details 'Nightmare' Scandal Aftermath, Announces New Media Venture

Former NFL insider Dianna Russini has publicly addressed the intense personal fallout from her departure from The Athletic, describing the period as a "nightmare" that tested her family. Following months of public scrutiny and professional upheaval, Russini announced her return to sports media through a new streaming show and podcast contributions, citing renewed support from colleagues and family.

Pallade Veneta - Siraj's double strike leaves England reeling in second Test