TimesofIndia.com in London: A warm hug later, Mohammed Siraj urged Jasprit Bumrah to raise the ball and acknowledge the crowd after completing his fifer. Bumrah seemed reluctant and Siraj had to literally handhold the gesture as his teammate seemed reluctant. It was only the ninth England wicket down and for Bumrah the job was still not done as there was another batter left to be dismissed before the celebrations could take over.The celebrations of getting his name on the Lord’s Honours Board – something many legends of the sport haven’t achieved. The moment came after he disturbed Jofra Archer’s woodwork but it earned no more than a gentle raise of the index finger. The middle-stump went for a walk and the 31-year-old joined the elite list of India bowlers who are mentioned on the Honours Boards at the iconic Lord’s cricket ground.The commentators kept mentioning how “Bumrah wanted to play at Lord’s, wanted to be on the Honours Boards” and here he was, leading the side off the park when the final wicket fell and took the memorable walk from the long room to the changing room. It’s an overwhelming moment for any professional cricketer to walk through that room after a milestone and it was visible on Bumrah’s face.
Bumrah arrived in England well aware that he would be playing three Tests and to pick fifers in two out of his three outings is a very special achievement by a bowler who keeps raising the bar. Conditions, weather, pitch and shape of the ball have hardly mattered to him as when the skill takes over, batters around the world look ordinary. Lord’s was no different.It was hot, the sun was harsh, there was hardly any wind to be used but Bumrah still had the ingredients to dish out another bowling masterclass. With nothing happening in the air and off the surface, Bumrah worked the angles, used the width of the crease and stuck to attacking the stumps.
India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel had emphasised earlier in the series on how it was important to keep the stumps in play in this part of the world, and Bumrah was relentless with his lines.Ball after ball, he kept making the batters play, induced plenty of false shots but was unlucky to pick just one wicket on the opening day. He wasn’t going to depend on luck on the second day as he made the second new ball talk and picked four wickets to complete the famous fifer at the Home of Cricket.
Ben Stokes was undone by a peach. Joe Root fell to his nemesis for the 11th time in the format. Some DRS drama led to a golden duck for Chris Woakes. And, in the end, Archer had no answers to the one which just came in with the angle and did enough to beat the tail-ender’s hang of the bat.
The wickets were hard work and he had to bowl as many as 27 overs in conditions which were anything but pleasant. The cold towel around his neck during the first drinks break on Day 2 was evidence of how uncomfortable the players were getting as the mercury kept rising. The locals have already termed it a serious heatwave and they expect harsher conditions in the coming week.As far as the third Test is concerned, Bumrah made it another harsh assignment for England batters and served a reminder that no matter how hard you prepare, he will continue to find a way.
