Harry Brook Points to the Exact Moment When England Decided to Verbally Give It Back to India During Lord’s Test

Harry Brook stated that India setting a 'ridiculous target' at Edgbaston, seemingly boosted England's confidence for their victory at Lord's.

Harry Brook Points to the Exact Moment When England Decided to Verbally Give It Back to India During Lord’s Test

Harry Brook blamed India for instigating the intense sledging between the two sides, at Lord's. (Image via India Today)

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England Test vice-captain Harry Brook subtly blamed the Indian players for instigating their aggressive response during the third Test at Lord’s. Brook pointed to that specific moment on the third day of play, that he claims pushed England to retaliate verbally against India.

The third Test match between India and England at the Lord’s Cricket Ground was a heated affair, marked by extensive sledging, fueling an intense rivalry. Ultimately, the Men in Blue faltered in the final innings, collapsing in their chase of 193 runs, handing a 2-1 lead to the home side. With emotions running high, both teams are now preparing for the fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester, starting July 23.

While the focus has largely shifted to the fourth Test, discussions still continue about the clashes between players from both sides that unfolded in the latter stages of the third Test at Lord’s. The game turned particularly aggressive during the final stretch of the third day’s play when England came out to bat for just two overs. England opener Zak Crawley found himself at the center of a heated altercation after Indian players, including captain Shubman Gill, accused him of employing time-wasting tactics.

At one point, Zak Crawley stopped Jasprit Bumrah during his run-up, an act that deeply frustrated the Indian players. This was followed by Gill making crude gestures to Crawley, instructing him to return to the pavilion. This incident marked the beginning of the on-field sledging, with Mohammed Siraj following it up by giving a fierce send-off to Ben Duckett on Day 4 after dismissing the opener.

England vice-captain Harry Brook, speaking ahead of the Manchester showdown, surprisingly attributed his team’s aggressive sledging in the final innings, to the Indian side. He suggested that the turning point occurred on the third day when Indian players, including Gill and Bumrah, reacted strongly to Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Brook stated that, embracing the essence of teamwork, the England players held a discussion and then collectively planned to respond to the Indian sledging.

Them lads went hard at Creeps [Zak Crawley] and Ducky [Ben Duckett] on that night when [Jasprit] Bumrah bowled that single over. We watched that and we reassessed and we thought it was the right time to go back at them.

Harry Brook to reporters (H/T: Cricbuzz)

When questioned about sportsmanship, Brook agreed, stating that he and his team were lauded for their brutal final innings comeback and how they collectively sledged the Indian players. The 26-year-old once again blaming India for the flare-up, claimed that his team attempted to play in the spirit of the game, but it was the Indian players who crossed the line, specifically pointing to their Day 3 actions.

We try and play in the spirit of the game as much as possible. We saw them going at our guys, so we had a little chat and thought that we’re a team and we ought to combine with each other, and get back at them.

The England players hit back after that, with Brook himself delivering a brutal dig at Nitish Kumar Reddy, making an IPL reference. Meanwhile, Duckett also took shots at Gill on Day 4, declaring that he was ‘done for the series’, further escalating the rivalry between the two sides.

Harry Brook Praises All-Rounder Liam Dawson, Who Joins England Side for Fourth Test Against India

England batter Harry Brook praised of spin-bowling all-rounder Liam Dawson, who has been added to the Three Lions’ squad for the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford. It marks Dawson’s return to the red-ball side, after a hiatus of almost eight long years.

Harry Brook on Liam Dawson
Harry Brook praised Liam Dawson, ahead of his return to the England Test side after eight years. (via BBC)

Dawson has been brought into the squad as a replacement for Shoaib Bashir, who has been ruled out with a fractured finger. Speaking on the 35-year-old’s return, Brook referred to him as a “wise old fox,” and expressed hope that Dawson would create wicket-taking opportunities in the remaining games against India, and also add value with his batting contributions.

The 35-year-old has played across all three formats, with his last appearance being in a T20I against West Indies this year. Dawson last played a Test match in July 2017 and has since struggled to regain his place in the team, despite consistent performances for County side Hampshire.