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'Absolutely awful': England crucified over 'embarrassing' Test fiasco

Seen here, England captain Joe Root during the second Test against India.
England captain Joe Root copped a wave of criticism for his tactics in the shocking second Test implosion against India. Pic: Getty

Fans have taken aim at England's cricketers over an "embarrassing" day five implosion that handed India victory in the second Test at Lord's.

India's pacemen stood tall to help crush England by 151 runs late on the final day, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

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England were bowled out for 120 in pursuit of a victory target of 272 with about half an hour and 8.1 overs left on day five, succumbing to the steady pressure built by India's attack.

Jasprit Bumrah (3-33) ensured England's run chase started disastrously by removing Rory Burns for a duck in the first over before Mohammed Shami (1-13) produced an unplayable out-swinger to get the better of fellow opener Dom Sibley, who also failed to score.

Bumrah got the big wicket of the in-form Joe Root (33) soon after tea, the England skipper edging to opposite number Virat Kohli at first slip.

Jos Buttler, who was dropped on two by Kohli, briefly threatened to salvage a draw for the hosts with his 96-ball knock of 25.

But all hopes of such a result were extinguished by Mohammed Siraj (4-32), who accounted for both Buttler and James Anderson in the same over, handing India only their third-ever Test win at Lord's.

England captain Joe Root - despite a magnificent century with the bat in the first innings - copped much of the criticism for his questionable tactics in the field.

Test great Sir Geoffrey Boycott labelled Root's captaincy "stupid" after the skipper encouraged fast bowler Mark Wood to consistently bounce Indian tailender Jasprit Bumhah.

It was a move that had disastrous consequences as the Indian quick shared in an unbeaten 89-run stand that enabled the tourists to declare with a lead of 271 runs.

“This Test match has proved two things,” Boycott wrote in the Telegraph. “Firstly, if you are stupid you do not deserve to win Test matches. As much as we love Joe Root for his magnificent batting, he cocked up with his tactics. Secondly, England cannot keep relying on Joe for all their runs. There has to be an improvement from the top three very soon because it is getting beyond a joke.

“Seeing Jasprit Bumrah at the crease was like a red rag to a bull. He encouraged Mark Wood to just pepper him with fast short balls. It is obvious the England captain and some of his players wanted payback for the working over Bumrah gave James Anderson in the first innings.

“Emotion got the better of England and common sense went out of the window. Captains are expected to keep a cool head even when fast bowlers lose theirs and get carried away with emotion and passion and get bouncer happy. But Root lost the plot.”

The backlash just just as fierce from England fans on social media, who also criticised the home side's shocking batting collapse.

Tail wags for India in famous win

India declared at 8-298 after Shami and Bumrah put on an unbeaten partnership of 89 for the ninth wicket.

Resuming on an overnight score of 6-181, India lost Rishabh Pant (22) and Ishant Sharma (16) early, both falling to Ollie Robinson (2-45) before Shami (56 not out) and Bumrah (34 not out) thwarted the England attack with some gutsy strokeplay.

Shami was particularly impressive, taking 10 runs off one Moeen Ali over just before lunch, which included a huge six over mid-wicket to bring up his half-century.

Bumrah was peppered with short deliveries by the England quicks but displayed great application, taking advantage of a spread-out field that had ample singles to offer.

Seen here, India's Jasprit Bumrah takes on a short ball in the second Test match against England at Lord's.
India's Jasprit Bumrah takes on a short ball on the fifth and final day of the second Test match against England at Lord's. Pic: Getty

The England players cut a frustrated figure, with Wood and Buttler getting into a verbal altercation with Bumrah over what seemed like a response to the Indian fast bowler's barrage of bouncers aimed at Anderson at the end of day three.

"A bit of tension on the field really motivated us to finish the game," Kohli said.

"Super proud of the whole team, the way we stuck to our plans... being put in, our performance with the bat was outstanding.

"The pitch didn't offer much for the first three days... but we thought with 60 overs to go (on the final day) we could have a crack, and they (the bowlers) were outstanding."

The third Test starts at Headingley on August 25.

with AAP

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