England crumbles as Nitish Kumar Reddy takes two wickets in one over

In the early stages of the third Rothesay Test, England faced a challenging start after winning the toss and opting to bat first. The team’s openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, secured a promising 43-run partnership but their success was short-lived as they both fell to Nitish Kumar Reddy, a relatively unrecognized medium-pacer in his sixth Test. This pivotal moment occurred during the morning session of the match at Lord's, with Duckett caught out for 18 and Crawley dismissed shortly after. Reddy's performance stood out notably, given that his earlier record only included five wickets across his first six Tests. Following these dismissals, Ollie Pope was nearly dismissed himself, but managed to survive a difficult chance, showcasing the pressure building on England's batting lineup. Despite losing their openers, Joe Root and Ollie Pope managed to stabilize the innings during the tea break, guiding the team to a respectable score of 153 for two. Their careful approach emphasized the need for a steady hand on a pitch that was proving to be slower than expected. This innings indicated a strategic shift for England under Captain Ben Stokes, who decided to bat first after facing a heavy defeat in their previous Test at Edgbaston. As conditions continued to evolve, the ongoing battle between the batsmen and the bowlers symbolized the unpredictable nature of Test cricket, particularly at Lord's, a revered venue in the sport.