Harry Brook joins exclusive club with rare dismissal as England end day 96 runs behind India in first Test at Headingley
By James Hilsum
Published 22/06/2025 at 20:11 GMT+1
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Harry Brook may well reflect on a case of what might have been but his 99 propelled England back into contention against India at Headingley. Brook was among England's best batting performers from their first innings, as the hosts moved to within six runs of India's total of 471. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope did manage to reach three figures with106 from 137 balls.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
It was a case of so near and yet so far for Harry Brook on day three of the first Test between England and India at Headingley.
The white-ball captain was dismissed for 99, as his wait for a first Test century at Yorkshire's iconic cricket venue continued.
It was a wonderful knock from Brook, which included two sixes and 11 fours that went a long way to keeping England competitive with their first innings response of 465, leaving them six runs shy of India's total.
The decisive moment came when Brook sent the ball to fine leg off the bowling of Prasidh Krishna and was caught by Shardul Thakur.
Brook became the latest member of a club no batter wants to join: England players to have been dismissed on 99. The likes of Michael Atherton, Marcus Trescothick and Kevin Pietersen can welcome Brook to the club.
England coach Brendon McCullum is a member of the New Zealand section.
Falling for 99 has been quite a rare feat in recent years. According to ESPN Cricinfo, you would have to go back to November 30, 2022 for the last time a player fell one short of a century.
That came courtesy of Australia's Travis Head against West Indies, but the last time an England player finished with 99 came five years earlier.
Jonny Bairstow fell agonisingly short of a century in England's first innings against South Africa in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, which the hosts would win by 177 runs.
England's first innings came to an end when the star of India's bowling attack - Jasprit Bumrah - removed Josh Tongue for 11 to wrap up his five-wicket haul.
India headed back to the crease and finished on 90-2, with KL Rahul three shy of a half century and Shubman Gill on six.
England had made their breakthrough when a combination of Brydon Carse and Jamie Smith removed Yashasvi Jaiswal, leaving the visitors on 16-1.
India rallied impressively from that point, but finished the day with one more casualty after Zak Crawley caught Sai Sudharsan off the bowling of Ben Stokes.
Play finished just past 6pm, with this Test firmly in the balance heading into day four.
Pope ignoring outside noise
Ollie Pope highlighted the importance of blocking out any outside noise following a fine performance at Headingley.
Pope vindicated his selection as England's No. 3 with his 106 runs from 137 balls, after his place in the team had been cast into doubt.
When asked about the debate surrounding his place, he told the BBC: "It is important to cut that stuff out. It is not making me better so I try to focus on my own game.
"I have listened to too many voices in the past but it is hard to avoid it in this day and age.
"I want to keep putting on runs after runs. To get a good score early is pleasing so I am enjoying it and we want to crack on tomorrow."
When asked about the task facing England, Pope admits he is feeling more optimistic after the removal of Sudharsan.
He continued: "That late wicket at the end puts us in an even position. We know we have runs to chase but if we can keep playing as we are, we know we can put together a good score."
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