England battled their way to supremacy to hold a first-innings lead of 123 runs at tea on the third day of the rain-affected second Specsavers Test at Lord’s.

Jonny Bairstow led the attack with an unbeaten 62 and was ably aided by Chris Woakes’ 55 not out after England lost cheap wickets during batting-friendly conditions in the first two sessions to sit on 230 for five.

Bairstow and all-rounder Woakes dug in deep to form the first 50-run partnership of the match, after the hosts were stranded on 89 for four, before the Yorkshireman reached his 19th Test half-century with a well-struck boundary.

England hoped to build an imposing advantage after skittling the tourists out for 107 on day two, but lost openers Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings in successive overs to leave them on 32 for two.

Debutant Ollie Pope came to the crease alongside captain Joe Root and the 20-year-old showed few nerves during a promising start, but he was trapped in front by Hardik Pandya on 28, despite reviewing the decision.

Root (19) fell lbw to Mohammed Shami on the final ball before lunch and the India seamer struck once more to dismiss Jos Buttler for 24 to leave England on 131 for five and propel India back into contention.

However, Bairstow and Woakes frustrated the tourists’ attack as they guided the hosts past the 200-run mark before the latter recorded his fifth Test 50, with the duo extending their partnership to 99 at the interval.