Picture Credit: ECB
England ended the first day of the third Test on a high note as they were well-ahead of India in the first innings. They have secured themselves a lead of 42 runs after bundling India for a paltry 78. Their biggest concern in the series, a good opening partnership, has also been addressed as the opening pair of Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns have put together 120 runs on the board. However, the second day's morning brought sad news for the home team.
Former England captain Ted Dexter passed away at the age of 86 on Thursday morning. Dexter "passed away peacefully" surrounded by his family in Wolverhampton after a recent illness, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) announced. To show a mark of respect for their former captain, the England players took the field on the second day wearing black armbands.
Ted Dexter– best of his own era
Ted Dexter, who represented England in 62 Tests, made his debut against New Zealand in 1958. He went on to captain England in 30 Tests, as well as Sussex, during the early 1960s. Current England captain Joe Root finds himself sharing a place with Ted Dexter in the list of players to score 50 in six consecutive innings. Dexter made his final appearance ten years after his debut, against Australia in 1968. The aggressive batsman and a part time medium-pace bowler ended his career with 4502 Test runs at an average of 47.89 and 66 wickets. Ted Dexter was recently inducted into ICC Hall of Fame, in June this year.
England would like to pay tribute through their performances
The England players will hope to pay tribute to their former captain through a dominating performance, and looking at the position they are in, they can surely do that. England are already 42 runs ahead with all their batters still in the hut. Joe Root, who has been on top of his game in this series, would hope to take the lead past 200 and put pressure on the visitors.
On the other hand, for India, it is going to be a tough task ahead. After being bowled out for 78, India weren't up to the mark in the bowling department as well. They were sloppy in the field as Rohit Sharma missed a chance to dismiss Hameed on 47. The bowlers looked weary. However, this Indian team has done wonders in the recent past and would like to repeat one such performance.