Bumrah’s Fiery Final Over Leaves England on Edge as Brook Narrowly Escapes
Ben Duckett’s reaction after Day 2 of the Leeds Test captured the tension in the England dressing room during a dramatic final over bowled by Jasprit Bumrah. Speaking to former England captains Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain on Sky Cricket, Duckett described the intense emotions as Harry Brook faced a barrage of hostile deliveries from Bumrah, narrowly surviving what could have been a match-defining moment.
With just a few balls left in the day, India captain Rohit Sharma brought back Bumrah to target England’s No. 4 batter Harry Brook, who had just arrived at the crease after Joe Root was dismissed by Bumrah for the 10th time in Test cricket. Bumrah’s plan was clear: use the short ball to unsettle Brook.
After a mix of fuller deliveries, Bumrah surprised Brook with a sharp bouncer. Brook attempted a pull shot but failed to control it, sending the ball towards short mid-wicket. Mohammed Siraj made a diving effort and appeared to complete a stunning catch. The Indian team began to celebrate, believing they had dismissed Brook. However, their joy was short-lived — the umpire signaled a no-ball, Bumrah’s third of the over.
Despite the setback, Bumrah stuck to his plan. He followed up with a yorker and two more short balls, causing visible tension in the England camp. Duckett later called it an “over from hell,” reflecting on how close Brook had come to falling.
England ended the day still trailing by 262 runs in the first innings. Vice-captain Ollie Pope, who scored a century, remains key to their hopes. Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith are also yet to bat, giving England a chance to fight back.
Duckett acknowledged the pressure but also saw positives. “It could have been a lot worse,” he said, noting how well England fought back after India’s strong start. “Facing Bumrah under the lights wasn’t easy. We’ll take where we are and focus on winning that first session tomorrow.”
