London: Pope and Chris Woakes both scored valuable fifties on their return to Test cricket as England recovered from a top-order collapse to build a lead over India at The Oval on Friday.England resumed Friday on 53-3 after fit-again India all-rounder Shardul Thakur had struck a 31-ball fifty — the fastest in terms of balls faced in a Test in England.
Yadav, recalled with Thakur after India dropped fellow pacemen Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami, removed nightwatchman Overton for his overnight score of one, with a flashing square cut caught by India captain Virat Kohli at first slip.
Malan, fresh from his 70 on England recall in an innings win at Headingley last week, had added just five runs when, squared up by Yadav, he was well caught by a diving Rohit at second slip.
Pope, after a skittish start, hit three fours in four balls off Thakur — an on-drive, a clip through mid-on and a resounding pull off a short-pitched delivery.
Kohli, in the ongoing absence of star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, yet to be selected this series, brought on slow left-armer Ravindra Jadeja in a bid to break the partnership.
It was Mohammed Siraj, however, who reduced England to 151-6 when Bairstow was lbw playing down the wrong line to a ball that nipped back off the pitch.
Meanwhile,Ā YouTuber Daniel Jarvis, who has gained notoriety for breaching security at will during the ongoing India versus England series, on Friday entered the Oval arena during the post lunch session on the second day of the fourth Test.
Jarvis, who goes by the name ‘Jarvo69’ has been constantly impersonating as India cricketer and Friday was the third time in three games that he has taken advantage of the poor security arrangement by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which has not taken transgressions seriously.