Liam Plunkett was England’s catalyst with bat and ball as they gave themselves a shot at a long overdue Test victory, against India at Lord’s on Saturday.
Plunkett's first Test 50 helped England to 319 all out early on Day 3 of the second Test, despite Bhuvneshwar Kumar's six for 82.
Then, after the hosts had eked out a 24-run lead, their pace-bowling all-rounder took two big wickets in two balls.
Plunkett was more worried about England getting their noses in front than making his first Test half-century, but he was still delighted to have reached the landmark.
Plunkett’s unbeaten 55, which included eight fours, helped England to 319 all out.
“I was just trying to get past that lead, that was more important, but it’s nice to get that first Test 50 and I’m absolutely over the moon with it,” he told Sky Sports 2.
“I’ve been working hard, to be honest with you.
“I’ve felt good with the bat all year and I’ve been working on some stuff, and last night when I came in as nightwatchman I worked really hard on lining it up and I felt in good nick and came out this morning a little bit more confident.”
The only possible blight on his day was the fact that he failed with his hat-trick attempt for a third time after twice missing out at Headingley against Sri Lanka last month.
But those two wickets, of Cheteshwar Pujara (43) and Virat Kohli, who shouldered arms and was bowled for a first-ball duck, proved crucial as India were looking settled at 118 for one.
But soon after Plunkett's double strike, Stuart Broad got Ajinkya Rahane out caught – despite replays showing the ball came off his arm guard – to give the hosts a three-wicket haul for just five runs.
India reached 169 for four at stumps, for a lead of 145, and Plunkett believes the stage is set for England to take control.
“Today was a good day. I think tomorrow we’ll come out hard again,” he said. “If we get a few early ones, it’s still a good pitch and still a good cricket wicket.
“I think the wicket’s only going to get better, so we’ll go hard in the morning and see what happens.”
When pushed on what sort of a chase England would be targeting, Plunkett suggested about 260.
India’s Pujara, on the other hand, thinks the conditions could make things tough for the hosts.
“It’s evenly balanced at the moment,” he said. “I think we still need more runs, something like 300 maybe on this wicket because it is deteriorating.
“The bounce is unpredictable: sometimes it’s staying low and sometimes it’s bouncing a little more. You are never comfortable.
“As a batting unit, if we can get a few more runs it will be difficult for them.”
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