The China Mail - India still on top in first Test despite Brook fifty for England

England were 327-5 at lunch on the third day, still 144 runs behind India's first-innings 471, which featured hundreds from captain Shubman Gil, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

But Brook, caught off a Jasprit Bumrah no-ball when on nought in Saturday's last over and dropped Sunday by wicketkeeper Pant on 46, was still there on 57 not out.

Jamie Smith (29 not out) had so far helped Brook add 51 in 12 overs for the sixth wicket.

Brook's innings was the more important following the loss early Sunday of England century-maker Ollie Pope.

England resumed on 209-3, 262 runs behind, after Pope had rescued them from the depths of 4-1 with a superb 100 not out after being dropped on 60.

Brook got off the mark on his Yorkshire home ground by thrashing the fifth delivery of Sunday's play, from Prasidh Krishna, for four and next ball pulled the paceman for a soaring six.

But Krishna then became the first member of India's attack other than outstanding fast bowler Bumrah to take a wicket this match, albeit with a loose delivery.

England vice-captain Pope had added just six runs to his score when he tried to cut a short and wide ball from outside off stump only to get a thin edge to Pant.

Pope's exit brought in England captain Ben Stokes, whose decision to field first after winning the toss in good batting conditions was criticised by ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan.

Brook, meanwhile, treated Bumrah, one of the best bowlers in the world, with disdain when he advanced down the pitch and him through the covers for four.

He then dished out similar treatment to Mohammed Siraj.

But from around the wicket, fast bowler Siraj induced left-handed batsman Stokes, on 20, into pushing outside off stump at a ball that moved away slightly, with Pant holding a simple catch.

Stokes, without a Test century for two years, threw his bat in the air in frustration as he walked off with England 276-5.

One danger for Brook wast that he would run out of partners and Shardul Thakur had Smith (nine) given out lbw only for the batsman's review to indicate the ball would have missed leg stump.

But Brook should have been out on 46 when he pushed forward defensively to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja only for Pant to drop the thin edge.

It was not long before Brook completed a 65-ball fifty, including seven fours and a six -- the 26-year-old's 12th half century in a 26-Test career that also includes eight hundreds.

C.Fong--ThChM