Woakes and Bairstow put England on the driving seat on Day 3

Chris Woakes after completing his maiden ton today against India at Lord’s. Image Source: XtraTime

XtraTime Web Desk: Brilliant batting by all-rounder Chris Woakes and wicket-keeper batsman Jonny Bairstow put England on a commanding position as they reached 357 for 6 at the end of Day 3 of the second Test at Lord’s on Saturday. Now the hosts are 250 runs ahead of India and it’s quite simple that the Men in Blue are in huge trouble.




Woakes was recalled for the second Test of this five-match series after England omitted fellow pace-bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes because of the Durham star’s ongoing trial for affray.




Warwickshire favourite Woakes, who missed England’s 31-run win in the first Test at his Edgbaston home ground last week because of concerns he was not fully fit following knee and calf injuries, took two for 19 — including the prize wicket of India captain Virat Kohli — as the tourists were dismissed for just 107 in their first innings at Lord’s on Friday.




The 29-year-old Woakes came into bat after England had slumped to 131 for five in reply on Saturday’s third day, with a top-order collapse threatening to undo their bowlers’ good work.

But Woakes, who had scored nine previous first-class hundreds, and Jonny Bairstow (93) turned the tide during a stand of 189.




Woakes, in his 25th match at this level, went past his previous Test best of 66, made against Sri Lanka at Lord’s two years ago, before completing a 129-ball hundred, including 15 fours, with a pulled three off Hardik Pandya.

Among the Indians, Mohammed Shami was the only bowler who looked in good rhythm today as he took 3 wickets for 74 runs.