Joe Root top-scored with a cautious 99 not out to help England to a steady 251-4, whilst captain Ben Stokes suffered an injury scare on day one of the third Test at Lord’s.
After winning the toss and electing to bat – only the second time Stokes has made that decision in England – Zak Crawley (18) and Ben Duckett (23) were both dismissed in the 16th over by Nitish Kumar Reddy (2-46).
Root (99 not out off 191) and Ollie Pope (44 off 104) helped to steady things for England, with the former becoming the first player to score 3,000 Test runs against India alone, as well as bringing up his 67th Test half-century.
India continued to toil, though, taking two more wickets, with Ravindra Jadeja (1-26) removing Pope and Jasprit Bumrah
(1-32) dismissing Harry Brook (11), on a wicket that was providing more turn and bounce than the flat pitches at Headingley and Edgbaston.
During the 81st over, play was briefly and bizarrely interrupted by a loveliness of ladybirds as England made it to stumps four down, with Root and captain Ben Stokes (39no) at the crease as the hosts look to regain a lead in the five-match series after India levelled at Edgbaston.
More to follow…
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Take a look at some bizarre scenes, where a ‘loveliness’ of ladybirds attacked England and India players at Lord’s during the third Test
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Take a look at the crazy over that saw England’s Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley fall in quick succession during the third Test against India
Watch day two of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am Friday (11am first ball) or stream without a contract.
England vs India – results and schedule
All games at 11am UK and Ireland; all on Sky Sports
