IND VS ENG 1st TEST DAY 1

 

 

India fight back against England after Shoddy first session 

After Alistair Cook won the toss and elected to bat, he and his  partner Hassan Hameed were looking to get the England looking to get the England first innings off to a good start. They were gifted a good start due to some shoddy slip fielding by India. Alistair Cook was given a life on the second ball of the first over when he nicked a ball from of stump to Ajinkya Rahane who failed to cling onto that opportunity. A couple of balls later, Cook again nicked a ball to Murali Vijay at first slip who also couldn't cling on to the ball. Cook's new opening partner Hassan Hameed also had a life as this time Indian skipper Virat Kholi also dropped a chance at third slip off Cook, this was not a morning to remember for the Indians, especially the first hour of the session. However, when Kohli turned to his number one spinner, Ashwin struck immediately by trapping the England skipper lbw in which young Hasan Hameed asked him to not use the Decision review system as hawk-eye clearly showed that the ball was going to miss leg stump. Joe Root came into bat and looked in sublime form. he and Hameed put on a 3rd wicket partnership of just 32 before Hameed went back to a full ball by Ashwin and was plum in front LBW. A few overs later, Ben Duckett nicked a ball from middle stump of the bowling of Ashwin where Ajinkya Rahne took a fine low catch to dismiss Duckett for 13. Moeen Ali scored a patient 99 not out and will be hoping to get  his 100 early in the morning. Joe Root also looked in sublime form as he scored a lovely 124, however it is still debatable as to whether or not Umesh Yadav took that caught and bowled chance cleanly as he looked like he was juggling with the bowl before he flicked it over his shoulder.

India's seam bowlers, I thought were unlucky. I thought that Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami were excellent with the new ball. It's just a shame that they were not getting enough support from  the fielding. it could have been a different game if they had taken all their catches. Ashwin and Jadeja also bowled really well but Amit Mishra was appalling as he bowled to many full tosses.

At the end of the 1st day England are 311-4

so what will happen next?

Can England kick on to make a big score to put pressure on India?

Will Moeen Ali get his 100?

Can India take some early wickets to put preasure on England's tail?

We shall find out tomorrow morning to see how the second day unfolds