Twitter Reactions: Ageless James Anderson and peerless Joe Root grab the spotlight as second Test hangs in balance

Joe Root once again turned out to be the savior for England at the end of Day 2 of the second Test at Lord’s. With England reeling at 23/2, the England skipper stood up for his side with the willow. The batting legend scored a splendid 48* off 75 deliveries, and kept the Indian bowlers at bay, as England ended Day 2 with their scorecard reading 119/3.

Rory Burns gave excellent company to Root. The opening batsman batted in cautious fashion and scored a patient 136-ball 49. The duo of Root and Burns were involved in a crucial 85-run stand for the third wicket. But then, just when it seemed as if England would end Day 2 unscathed, Mohammed Shami trapped Rory Burns in front of the stumps, and his vigil out in the middle ended.

Earlier, Mohammed Siraj created panic in the England camp and rattled the England side by scalping two wickets off two balls in the 15th over of the innings. While Dom Sibley hit Siraj straight to KL Rahul who was positioned at short mid-wicket, Haseeb Hameed was cleaned up for a first-ball duck by a ripper from Siraj, as England were reduced to 23/2. Root and Burns then indulged in their repair act to steady the ship.

Indian willow wielders fail to step up on Day 2

Resuming the day at 276/3, India produced a shoddy performance with the willow on Day 2. The Indian willow wielders could only add 88 runs to their overnight total, and the Virat Kohli-led side was bowled out for 364 runs in the first innings. KL Rahul departed in the very first over on Day 2. Ollie Robinson bowled a full delivery, Rahul went for the drive and hit the red cherry straight to cover, and walked back for a splendid 129.

Ajinkya Rahane was the next man to depart, off the next over bowled by James Anderson. Anderson bowled a delivery that swung away from Rahane, the Indian vice-captain tried to defend the delivery, and the ball took the edge of his blade and settled into the waiting hands of Joe Root at slip. Rahane departed for just 1 run.

Ravindra Jadeja and the mercurial Rishabh Pant then added 49 runs for the sixth wicket. Pant played some flamboyant shots in his stay out in the middle. When Ollie Robinson bowled short, Pant rocked onto the back foot and pulled him past mid-wicket with authority, and when Mark Wood bowled full, Pant unleashed the cover drive from his armoury.

But, just when it seemed as if Pant might prove to be the thorn in the flesh of the England side, the left-hander played a loose shot, nicked Mark Wood to Jos Buttler behind the stumps, and departed for 37 off 58 deliveries. Ravindra Jadeja then tried to up the ante in the company of the Indian tail-enders. He smashed Moeen Ali straight down the ground and pulled Mark Wood behind square with elan.

James Anderson scalps a sensational five-wicket haul

But then, James Anderson polished off the Indian tail. While Ishant Sharma was undone by a brilliant inswinger from Anderson, Jasprit Bumrah nicked the England pace bowling legend to Buttler behind the stumps to give Anderson his fifth wicket of the innings. With this magical performance with the ball, Anderson proved that age is just a number for him.

Ravindra Jadeja was the last man to depart, hitting Mark Wood straight into the hands of James Anderson at mid-on. This Test match is shaping up to be an excellent one, and the third Day’s play will hold the key for both sides.

Here is how Twitter reacted