Jonny Bairstow century heroics for England not enough to keep India at bay

Another outstanding century from Jonny Bairstow, his third in as many Tests and fifth this year, was not enough to prevent India racking up a sizeable lead on day three of the series decider against England.

After scoring fine hundreds in Sydney and Antigua, Bairstow has stepped things up a notch this summer, following back-to-back tons against New Zealand with another here at Edgbaston.

He made 106 in typically rambunctious style, with 14 boundaries and two sixes as he added another superb knock to his career-best streak.

But with Sam Billings the next highest scorer on 36, England were dismissed 132 behind for 284. James Anderson removed Shubman Gill in the first over of the reply, but by tea India had moved to 37 for one.

England were trailing by exactly 200 more at the start of play, resuming on 84 for five with Bairstow and Ben Stokes eager to launch a counter-attack. That was virtually impossible in the opening stages, with Jasprit Bumrah starting well and Mohammed Shami producing a brilliant but luckless spell from the Pavilion End.

He beat Bairstow on both edges as he extracted lavish seam movement, and even saw one ball nip back and over the stumps. Bairstow was barely hanging in until a verbal exchange with the combative Virat Kohli inspired him to turn things up.

Steeled by the perceived provocation he threw himself into a couple of meaty drives and then went aerial, aiming two dismissive blows down the ground. Stokes wanted to join in but was unable to match his partner’s timing.

On 18 he skied a leading edge high to Shami high, giving Shardul Thakur plenty of time to settle and no excuse for the fumble that followed. Bairstow rubbed salt into the seamer’s wounds by slamming the next two balls for four, one