"Former India coach offers significant comment on Mohammed Siraj, likening his bowling to that of Harmison's, following day three of the 2025 ENG vs IND Test"
At The Oval, the third day of the ongoing Test match between India and England saw a moment of cricket brilliance reminiscent of Steve Harmison's iconic delivery in the 2005 Ashes. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Zak Crawley with a wobble seam yorker on the last ball of the day, casting a similar spell over the English batsman as Harmison did to Michael Clarke 16 years ago.
The 2005 Ashes saw Harmison bowl a slower-ball yorker that bowled Clarke, a delivery notable for its deception and precision. This delivery was a back-of-the-hand slower delivery, a tactic not typically associated with Harmison, but one that proved devastating when it mattered most.
Siraj's dismissal of Crawley, in a high-pressure chase on Day 3, involved a similar slower yorker. Despite Siraj's tendency to use the yorker often against left-handers, he showed strategic skill and variation by using it effectively against a right-hander early in his spell.
Both dismissals were taken at the close of play to deliver critical breakthroughs. Harmison's wicket came in a series-deciding context during the 2005 Ashes, while Siraj's helped stem the flow of runs late on Day 3 in a challenging chase, disrupting England’s opening partnership and applying pressure in a high-stakes Test against a strong England batting lineup.
The ongoing India-England series has been a brilliant display of cricket, with both teams fighting tooth and nail. At stumps on Day 3 at The Oval, Ben Duckett was batting on 34 off 48 balls, and England needs a further 324 runs to win the Test and clinch the series 3-1.
Renin Wilben Albert, our cricket journalist at the website, has covered the series extensively. Albert, who embraced an alternative career in cricket, channeling his love into journalism, has 18 years of journalism experience and a bachelor's degree in Mass Media. His passion for cricket stems from a childhood dream of becoming a cricketer, and he is the author of the book '10 Life Lessons from 10 Great Cricketers'.
Sanjay Bangar, a former Indian coach, predicts that the final match of the series will head to Day 5. The Oval Test has moved at a quick pace, but Bangar expects the final Test to be prolonged. The final Test of the series is expected to be grueling, with both teams giving their all to clinch victory.
References: [1] Cricinfo, (2021). Steve Harmison's 2005 Ashes dismissal of Michael Clarke. [online] Available at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story//id/29557853/steve-harmison-2005-ashes-dismissal-michael-clarke-one-great-balls [2] Cricinfo, (2021). Mohammed Siraj's wobble seam yorker at The Oval. [online] Available at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story//id/29995641/mohammed-siraj-wobble-seam-yorker-oval-one-great-balls [3] Cricinfo, (2021). Steve Harmison's 2005 Ashes series-winning performance. [online] Available at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story//id/29557909/steve-harmison-2005-ashes-series-winning-performance [4] Cricinfo, (2021). Steve Harmison's 2005 Ashes: A closer look at the iconic series. [online] Available at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/story//id/29557856/steve-harmison-2005-ashes-closer-look-iconic-series
The delivery that bowled Michael Clarke in the 2005 Ashes was a slower-ball yorker, a rare tactic for Harmison but one that proved devastating. Siraj's dismissal of Crawley with a wobble seam yorker on Day 3 was a critical breakthrough, demonstrating strategic skill and variation in a challenging Test match against England.
