Filed under: Cricket, England Cricket, Tests, India Cricket
Second Test Day Two (close): First Innings: England 221 all out (Stuart Broad 64, Praveen Kumar 3-45, Ishant Kumar 3-66, Sreesanth 3-77) India 288 all out. (Rahul Dravid 117, Yuvraj Singh 62, VVS Laxman 54, Broad 6-46) Second Innings: England 24-1. India lead by 43 runs.Stuart Broad's brilliant hat-trick helped England wrest the advantage back from India on an absorbing second day at Trent Bridge.
Rahul Dravid's fine century looked set to steal the headlines until Broad struck three times in three balls in the last session to leave the second Test hanging in the balance.
The tourists started the day at 24-1 after they had managed to bowl England out on day one for 221 and deny Andrew Strauss's men the chance to build on their first test success.
England were outstanding for five consecutive days at Lord's last week and deservedly went 1-0 up in this four-Test series but MS Dhoni's side are number one in the world for a reason and they seemed to be proving that as England toiled.
Dravid and VVS Laxman helped the score along to 93 early on before Laxman nibbled at a Tim Bresnan ball and was caught behind.
England v India Scorecard
Laxman was furious with himself because he had looked in fine form and a century looked to be there for the taking after hitting 10 boundaries in his score of 54.
At the other end, batting genius Sachin Tendulkar again failed to shine as he only made 16 before being caught by Strauss at slip while Suresh Raina also looked poor against the short ball and he gave Eoin Morgan a simple catch to leave India reeling at 139-4.
New batsman Yuvraj Singh then immediately gave Kevin Pietersen a simple chance off Broad's bowling when he had scored just four but Pietersen dropped him and Singh and Dravid cashed in.
During a baking hot afternoon session, they got stuck into spinner Graeme Swann and Singh soon had a half-century to his name as he put a ton partnership on with Dravid.
England were not helped either by an injury to Jonathan Trott who went down badly after trying to field the ball.
He looked in agony as he staggered off with England concerned that he has either dislocated his shoulder or damaged his collarbone.
Dravid continued to cruise to his century which he brought up with a four of Swann before England called for the new ball to try and make the breakthrough.
And what a breakthrough Broad managed.
He first had Singh caught behind for 62 but his partnership with Dravid had been worth 128 in just 35 overs and that had stung England badly.
But that was soon all forgotten when Broad struck three times in three balls to send Trent Bridge crazy.
Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar were Broad's victims as India finally limped to 288 all out.
Alastair Cook fell before the end as India had something to cheer late but the day emphatically belonged to Broad.
REACTION:
Broad was thrilled with his hat-trick and England's bowling performance:
"Its nice to get a hat-trick anywhere but to get one at Trent Bridge was even better. We have managed to drag ourselves back into it. We didn't play particularly well up to tea but we have now gotten a game for ourselves. The atmosphere was amazing and I love bowling at Trent Bridge. I just tried to relax and it worked nicely."
On his thoughts as he ran in for the hat-trick ball:
"The ball was swinging a bit so I just wanted to relax and come wide off the crease so I could bowl the ball at middle stump. Fortunately it nipped back and caught the top of off stump."
On the morning session:
"I think getting Laxman in that session was important. I thought India played pretty well and were staring down a pretty long way but we knew there would be a time in the game where we could get some wickets pretty quickly. We are happy with the end result and tomorrow is a huge day for us."
On his career best figures:
"You've go to savour ther good times because you always take stick when you don't do well. The last two games have gone well for me so far. There is a lot of work to do though in the next three days. We are here to win Test matches and that is what we have to try and do tomorrow."
On Dravid's century:
"He played really well. He has got the nickname "The Wall" for a reason. He left the ball well and had his share of luck but he showed us how to bat and score Test hundreds on this wicket."
On England's plans:
"I expect the heavy roller to take something out of the pitch. If we can get through that first session that will be a big bonus."
Dravid was pleased to get his 34th Test hundred but knows India have a long way to go to get a result from this game:
"It was hard work but it got easier as the day went on. They bowled in good areas and tested us and I was a bit lucky as well. I wore a few balls but there is nothing that an ice bath will not sort out. I didn't really plan too much."
MEMORABLE MOMENT: When Broad sent Kumar's middle stump cartwheeling backwards to grab his hat-trick it sent Trent Bridge into raptures and he was deservedly mobbed by his teammates.
PLAY OF THE DAY: What else but Broad's brilliant over containing his hat-trick?
WHAT IT MEANS: This Test match is still either side's for the taking. It is unlikely to go the full five days because the pitch is already breaking up so whoever prospers the most on day three is likely to come out on top.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/07/30/second-test-day-two-stuart-broad-hat-trick-halts-indias-progre/
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