The Indian bowlers toiled hard on Day 3 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester as England piled on runs. Jasprit Bumrah's only strike came in the 125th over of the innings. Mohammed Siraj's first wicket was Chris Woakes in the 130th over. The two premier pacers struggled with their respective injuries on Day 3 as they could not provide early strikes with the second new ball. After the day's play, bowling coach Morne Morkel gave an update on the pacers' injuries, brushing aside any major concerns.
“Yeah, unfortunately, when we took the second new ball, Booms rolled his ankles going down the stairs. And then Siraj also, I think, rolled his foot in one of the footholds. But they seemed to be okay,” Morkel said in the post-day press conference.
Morkel on Indian pacers losing pace
Bumrah's pace dropped considerably. He managed to bowl just one ball over 140kmph in the Test. They lacked the zip needed to force a mistake or catch the batter off-guard on a pitch which does not have much assistance for bowlers.
"That's something that we're trying to get our heads around," Morkel said. "On a surface where it gets a little bit flat, you need a little bit of energy behind the ball. I think that's definitely one of the factors for us so far in our bowling innings. Just getting that little bit of extra zip off the wicket to create the opportunities for caught behind and lbw.
"But yeah, I mean to look at the workloads of guys like Siraj and those sort of guys, they've had heavy workloads. Anshul [Kamboj]'s first Test match so far, and it's important for us to grow and develop a nice fast-bowling unit. So not too much to judge on that. Also, a heavier sort of outfield. But in terms of commitment and effort that the guys have put in, I don't think we can fault that. It's just a good point you made. You need a little bit of energy on the ball on good surfaces where the ball at times is not doing as much."
Root, Stokes put England in commanding position
After Joe Root's 150-run knock, England are in comfortable position with 544/7 on the board. Stokes left the field due to a cramp, but returned later in the day. He is unbeaten on 77 and inching closer towards his 14th Test hundred. England have a 186-run lead with three wickets in hand. They will look to press their advantage on Day 4 as well.