Mohammed Siraj's fiery send-off front and centre as Day 3 tensions spill over into Day 4 morning

Indian Express

a day ago

Day 3 of the third Test between India and England at Lord's ended with such drama that it would've been a bit of a surprise if it had no effect on at least the early proceedings of the fourth day. And that was pretty much the case on Sunday and, quite expectantly, it is symbolised by a wicket celebration by Mohammed Siraj.
Siraj was among the players who got in the face of Zak Crawley in the one over that India managed to bowl at the end of the third day, thanks largely to the latter's delaying tactics. Both Crawley and opening partner Ben Duckett could be seen discussing the events of that over with the Indian players walking back to the pavillion after Stumps were called and the latter couldn't survive long in the morning session on Sunday.
The wicket came in the sixth over of the innings, which was Siraj's third and the fifth of the day. The fifth ball of the over was dug in back of a length just outside off stump at around 140kph, Duckett tried to pull but was cramped up. The ball popped straight into the hands of Jasprit Bumrah at mid-on.
Siraj proceeded to roar right in Duckett's face, his eyes bulging out of their sockets and veins popping. There was even a light shoulder contact. Duckett didn't seem to really look at the bowler at any point while Siraj did the opposite for him. The Indian pacer even got a little talking-to from the umpires after the whole excercise.
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One shot too many & #BenDuckett has to make his way back as #MohammedSiraj provides an early breakthrough!#ENGvIND 👉 3rd TEST, DAY 4 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/vo6bbH8PcQ pic.twitter.com/4vO1Elz9eo
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England had about six minutes to play and it seemed India might get in two overs at them. But Zak Crawley wasn't in an obliging mood, and did what batsmen generally tend to do in those circumstances – try wasting as much time legally as possible.
He went gardening down the track, he waved off spectators behind Bumrah, twice pulling out before the third ball. Shubman Gill walked up from the slip at that point to say something, with Ben Duckett intervening. Gill and Duckett had a short chat. Then before the fifth ball, Crawley went down the pitch for some bat-tapping. More words flew from the slips.
Crawley then got hit on his fingers off the fifth ball when a nipbacker crashed into him. He immediately wrung his hands in pain and called for physio. The Indians swarmed all around the batsmen. Nearly all the close-in fielders started clapping sarcastically. Suddenly, Gill ran towards Crawley, said something, pointing his right index finger at the opener. And Crawley too returned the gesture and the verbals.
Duckett rushed in and both he and Gill would stand very close to each other for a chat. Rahul ran across to get close to them, and the two parted. And as Crawley turned around and walked towards the hutch after the final ball, where he was beaten, Duckett would exchange a few words with the Indians, and this time a few smiles broke out. Crawley stood waiting half-way to the pavilion for his partner, and Siraj and he would exchange a few more words.