Harry Brook on Lord’s Test: “It Felt Like 11 vs 2 Out There” as England Edge India in Thriller
In a match that will be remembered for its dramatic intensity and mental warfare as much as its cricketing brilliance, England clinched a narrow 22-run win against India at Lord’s. With tensions high on and off the pitch, Harry Brook revealed the charged atmosphere during the game, comparing the pressure created by England’s fielding unit to an “11 versus 2” situation.
The Heat at Lord’s
The third Test of the 2025 series between England and India turned into a mental battle as much as a physical contest. With both sides engaging in relentless banter and aggressive fielding setups, tempers flared—particularly during the fourth and fifth days of play. Speaking ahead of the fourth Test in Manchester, Brook shed light on England’s response to India’s on-field aggression.
“Them lads went hard at Creeps [Zak Crawley] and Ducky [Ben Duckett] on that night when Bumrah bowled that single over. We watched that and we reassessed and we thought it was the right time to go back at them,” Brook said.
It was during India’s second innings chase of a modest 193-run target that England turned up the heat—verbally and tactically. Brook revealed that the plan to engage India with words and intense energy in the field was deliberate.
“Everybody said it was awesome to watch and it looked like there was 11 versus two out there when we were fielding. It was good fun, it was tiring but it made fielding a lot more enjoyable,” Brook added.
Psychological Warfare Pays Off
Brook believes England’s sledging and energy created added pressure on the Indian batters, who eventually succumbed to the situation.
“Yeah, I think so. I think it put them under a little bit more pressure. Obviously, chasing a low score but on a tough pitch. Thankfully, they ended up crumbling and we won the game.”
The victory at Lord’s has been widely praised by fans and former players alike, with Brook acknowledging the special nature of the contest.
“Every game that we’ve played so far has gone into the last hour of the game, which you do not see very often. . . Everybody said that the Lord’s game was one of the best games that they’ve watched.”
Praise for Liam Dawson
As England prepares for the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Liam Dawson has been drafted into the squad following Shoaib Bashir’s unfortunate finger injury. Brook expressed full confidence in Dawson’s experience and value.
“He’s a wily old fox, very experienced. He’s a very skillful cricketer. . . Hopefully he can land it in the foot-holes and create a bit of spice out of there. He’s also got nearly 20 First-Class hundreds. He adds a lot to our batting strength too.”
Dawson’s all-round abilities could prove vital on a turning Manchester pitch, especially with his knack for exploiting rough areas and providing lower-order stability.
Brook on Root and Rankings
In the weeks since the Lord’s Test, Joe Root overtook Brook to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test batting rankings. Far from bitter, Brook was full of admiration for the England veteran.
“Everybody wants to be number one, don’t they? Him probably more than anybody else. He’s a phenomenal player. I’m not in the same league as him… In my opinion, he’s the best Test batter of all time.”
Root’s consistency and longevity continue to inspire the next generation of England batters, with Brook happy to bide his time and keep learning.
England’s XI for the Fourth Test at Manchester (Starts July 23):
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Ollie Pope
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ben Stokes (c)
Jamie Smith (wk)
Liam Dawson
Chris Woakes
Brydon Carse
Jofra Archer
With the series delicately poised and every match delivering edge-of-the-seat drama, the fourth Test in Manchester promises another enthralling chapter. England’s mix of youth, experience, and a unified, fiery approach is setting the tone for one of the most exciting Test series in recent memory.
