England vs India 4th Test Day 1: Broad rips through India as England take charge

England fast bowler Stuart Broad took six wickets to skittle out India for 152 and the hosts finished on 113 for three in reply to take control on an absorbing opening day of the fourth Test on Thursday.

Broad and James Anderson reduced India, who won the toss, to eight for four and only a defiant 71 by the touring side's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni saved them from complete collapse with a gripping series level at 1-1.

England lost openers Sam Robson, for six, and Alastair Cook (17) but Gary Ballance and Ian Bell added 77 for the third wicket before Ballance was trapped lbw for 37 by Varun Aaron just before the close.

Bell will resume on 45 not out with nightwatchman Chris Jordan on nought.

"It was a brilliant day and we're in an extremely strong position, but I must admit I was a little bit disappointed when we lost the toss just on previous knowledge that Australia got 570 batting first here last year, I just assumed it would play like that," Broad told Sky Sports.

"You saw when the sun came out and the blue sky showed its face it got a bit better for batting so I think we got lucky with the overheads today, but we didn't get lucky with the skill we produced. We work very hard on that and we delivered everything we wanted to," Broad added.

The start was delayed by half an hour due to overnight rain and Anderson and Broad took advantage of favourable conditions, obtaining prodigious swing to send back Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in the space of 13 balls.

It was a fine performance on his home Old Trafford ground by Anderson, who was cleared to play after being found not guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council's code of conduct in an incident with India's Ravindra Jadeja during the first test.

Gambhir, recalled to the side, was first to go for four when he got a leading edge to a full delivery from Broad and the ball flew straight to Joe Root at gully.

PERFECT OUTSWINGER

Vijay, on nought, prodded at a perfect outswinger from Anderson and Cook took a straightforward opportunity at first slip.

Two balls later the out-of-form Kohli fell in identical fashion for a duck and Pujara drove loosely at a full ball from Broad, Jordan clutching a sharp catch at third slip to leave India in tatters at eight for four.

Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane stopped the rot with a fighting fifth-wicket partnership of 54 as conditions for batting improved.

But Rahane was out for 24 just before lunch when he drove at a full wide ball from Jordan and Bell took a regulation catch at second slip.

Resuming in the afternoon session on 63 for five, India soon lost Jadeja for a duck, lbw to Anderson.

Dhoni received solid support from Ravichandran Ashwin, however, and the pair added 66 runs in quick time. Ashwin had made 40 when he hooked a short ball from Broad and was well caught by Robson running in from deep square leg.

Dhoni reached fifty with his 11th four but Broad struck again, bowling Bhuvneshwar Kumar for nought.

Chancing his arm, Dhoni hit four more boundaries before heaving Broad straight to Jordan at backward square leg to give the tall fast bowler his fifth wicket.

He then bowled Pankaj Singh, condemning India to equal the world record of six individual ducks in a test innings as Broad completed superb figures of six for 25.

Robson, who has struggled in the series, never settled and he was bowled by Kumar offering no stroke to a straight delivery.

Cook, his confidence lifted by two half-centuries in the third test, started well but he recklessly hooked a short ball from Aaron and was caught by Pankaj at deep square leg.

Ballance continued the form which has brought him three centuries in his first six tests but he was out-thought by Aaron in the final over to give India a lift after a difficult day.

India made three changes from the side which lost the third test in Southampton, bringing in Gambhir, seamer Aaron and spinner Ashwin. England named an unchanged team.

EVENING SESSION

A rewarding second wicket for Aaron. He was bowling a fiery spell as man in form Ballance departs. Eng 113-3 in 34.3 overs.

Gary Ballance lbw b Aaron 37 (87b 6x4 0x6)

Both Bell and Ballance have given England the edge. With just around 13 overs left for the day, they would be keen not to lose any wickets. Eng 105-2 in 30 overs.

Partnership quickly reaches 45 as Bell is batting on 30 from just 34 overs. Ballance on 23. Eng 81-2 in 24 overs.

England lose another. It looked Cook had settled down when Aaron lured him for a pull. Cook offers an easy one to Pankaj at deep backward square. Eng 36-2 in 13.1 overs.

Alastair Cook c Pankaj Singh b Aaron 17 (42b 2x4 0x6)

Cook on 17 while Ballance reaches 7. Eng 34-1 in 12 overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets the first victim as sam Robson is bowled. Eng 21-1 in 9 overs.

Sam Robson b Kumar 6 (24b 1x4 0x6)

Slow and cautious approach from the England openers but India need some quick wickets. Eng 20-0 in 7 overs.

Cook and Robson begin reply for England. They are surely not under any pressure but how good can the inexperienced Indian speedsters emerge is to be seen. Eng 7-0 in 3 overs.

INDIA INNINGS

That's the last wicket and deservingly Broad collects it to make it six. Pankaj Singh was the sixth batsman to score a duck in the first innnings. Ind 152 all out in 46.4 overs.

Pankaj Singh b Broad 0 (3b 0x4 0x6)

The end of a fine innings from skipper Dhoni. He was battling hard to ensure India had a decent total before Broad lures him to pull one straight to Jordan. That was Broad's fifth wicket. Ind 152-9 in 46.1 overs.

MS Dhoni c Jordan b Broad 71 (133b 15x4 0x6)

Dhoni is fighting a lone battle as he scores a half century. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar fails to give him company as he play on a Broad delivery. Ind 137-8 in 42.2 overs

Bhuvneshwar Kumar b Broad 0 (6b 0x4 0x6)

Ashwin was looking good and scoring at a faster rate but he succumbs to give Broad his third wicket.  The shot was not acutally necessary given the situation but his top edge is comfortably taken by Robson. Ind 129-7 in 40.2 overs.

Ravichandran Ashwin c Robson b Broad 40 (42b 3x4 1x6)

Ashwin reaches 40 while Dhoni is stranded on 49 but their partnership of 66 has taken India to some respectable total. Ind 129-6 in 40 overs.

Both Ashwin and Dhoni add a half century partnership. Dhoni is batting on 49. Ind 118-6 in 37 overs.

Dhoni is on 33 while Ashwin reaches quickly to 10. This partnership will be crucial for India. Ind 81-6 in 30 overs.

That's the third wicket for Anderson and he will enjoy that one. So Jadeja departs as India are 63-6 in 26.3 overs.

Ravindra Jadeja lbw b Anderson 0 (7b 0x4 0x6)

MORNING INNINGS

England fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad ripped through the top order to reduce shell-shocked India to 63 for five at lunch on the opening day of the fourth Test on Thursday.

Ruthlessly exploiting favourable conditions after India had won the toss, Anderson and Broad obtained prodigious swing on an overcast morning to give the hosts the perfect start with the series level at 1-1.

It was a fine performance on his home Old Trafford ground by Anderson, who was cleared to play after being found not guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council's code of conduct in an incident with India's Ravindra Jadeja during the first test.

Gautam Gambhir, recalled to the side, was first to go for four when he got a leading edge to a full delivery from Broad and the ball flew straight to Joe Root at gully.

Murali Vijay, on nought, prodded at a perfect outswinger from Anderson and Alastair Cook took a straightforward opportunity at first slip.

Two balls later the out-of-form Virat Kohli fell in identical fashion for a duck and Cheteshwar Pujara drove loosely at a full ball from Broad, Chris Jordan clutching a sharp catch at third slip to leave India in tatters at eight for four.

Captain MS Dhoni, surely ruing his decision to bat first, and Ajinkya Rahane stopped the rot with fighting fifth-wicket partnership of 54 as conditions for batting improved.

But Rahane was out for 24 just before the interval when he drove at a full wide ball from Jordan and Ian Bell took a regulation catch at second slip.

Dhoni, dropped by Jordan at fourth slip, was 25 not out at the interval with Jadeja on nought.

England get another break. Rahane had done all the hard work but is disappointed having given up after staying for so long in the middle. It was just another few overs away for lunch. Ind 62-5 in 23.2 overs.

Ajinkya Rahane c Bell b Jordan 24 (52b 3x4 0x6)|

Rahane and Dhoni looking a lot more confident now. They have done a great job to bail out India from a precarious situation. Ind 52-4 in 20 overs.

Rahane batting on 10 while Dhoni is on 14 as they add 24 runs for the fifth wicket. Ind 32-4 in 15 overs.

Dhoni and Rahane slowly stitching together a partnership. But it's not an easy task with Anderson and Broad bullying them with powerful bouncers. Ind 19-4 in 10 overs.

India's decision to bat first has backfired. Dhoni and Rahane in the middle and are under a lot of pressure. Ind 8-4 in 6 overs.

That's put India in serious problems. They still are in single digit score and four wickets down already. Pujara departs after Jordan takes a brilliant catch. Ind 8-4 in 5.1 overs.

Cheteshwar Pujara c Jordan b Broad 0 (6b 0x4 0x6)

It's trouble for India as Anderson picks another to remove Kohli in a similar fashion. The wicket is offering true support to bowlers. Ind 8-3 in 4.4 overs

Virat Kohli c Cook b Anderson 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

That's another quick one for England as India looks to be in trouble. It's not an easy wicket for the batsmen. Ind 8-2 in 4.2 overs.

Murali Vijay c Cook b Anderson 0 (14b 0x4 0x6)

Early breakthrough for England as Gambhir offers a simple catch to the slip. Ind 8-1 in 3.1 overs.

Gautam Gambhir c Root b Broad 4 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Anderson keeping Vijay guessing. He's played 12 deliveries and is yet to open the account. Ind 8-0 in 3 overs.

The match starts as Anderson bowls a maiden. Focus will be on Gambhir who returns to the Indian team after a gap. Ind 0-0 in 1 over.

India win the toss and opt to bat first Dhawan and Shami are dropped while Gambhir gets the chance to make a comeback. Aaron also makes his place in XI.

Playing XI:

India: Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Pankaj Singh

England: Alastair Cook, Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Jordan

The toss has been delayed due to the drizzle. The covers are on but it's getting brighter and we should hope to see the action begin soon.

PREVIEW

England face the welcome problem of dealing with the consequences of winning ahead of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford starting on Thursday.

Victory by the huge margin of 266 runs in the third Test at Southampton last week saw England level the five-match series at 1-1.

It also ended a run of 10 Tests without a win for Alastair Cook's side and saw the captain himself return to form with two fifties, although it could all have been so different had he been caught in the slips on 15 in the first innings.

"Now everyone knows what it's like (to win), the challenge is 'can we repeat that at Old Trafford, and try to win the series?'", said Cook.

England had another 'victory' less than a day after their Southampton success.

James Anderson escaped a ban after International Cricket Council code of conduct commissioner Gordon Lewis dismissed disciplinary charges brought against him by India following his alleged confrontation with Ravindra Jadeja during the drawn first Test in Nottingham.

Given the fast-medium bowler, man-of-the-match in Southampton with a return of seven for 77, is the series' leading wicket-taker with 16, England's relief was understandable.

However, what is not in dispute is Anderson's fondness for 'sledging' - verbally abusing opposition batsmen

England great Geoffrey Boycott, while hailing Anderson as the country's best bowler since Ian Botham, urged the Lancashire seamer to modify his approach.

"Jimmy should reflect on whether he wants to be remembered as one of the all-time great English seam bowlers or a foul-mouthed abusive bowler," said Boycott in his Daily Telegraph column published Wednesday.

"To me it is a no-brainer. James Anderson should zip it up and bowl."

However, Cook, insisted he had no qualms regarding the behaviour of the 32-year-old Anderson, now just 12 wickets off equalling Botham's England record of 383 Test wickets.

"We know every time that you put on the shirt as an England player or any international you're a role model for young kids," Cook said.

"We also want to play competitive cricket, we don't want it to be too nicey-nicey.

"There's always that muddied line.

"There's little bits where he (Anderson) might have overstepped the mark occasionally throughout his career, but you'd rather him be on the line than too passive."

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni added: "It is time for us to move ahead."

However, Anderson's persistent 'sledging' had clearly annoyed Dhoni.

"If someone is consistent with his abuse he should be punished, it doesn't matter who he is.

"We have to monitor it constantly, but at the same time it's important that we play strong cricket."

While Moeen Ali produced a decisive second-innings return of six for 67 in Southampton to quieten talk regarding his 'part-time' off-spin, the performance of England's back-up seamers in support of Anderson and Stuart Broad was a concern.

An injury to Liam Plunkett, dropped from the third Test team, has seen England recall Steven Finn.

The Middlesex fast bowler was sent home early from England's disastrous tour of Australia, having not featured in the 5-0 Ashes thrashing and been deemed "unselectable" by then one-day coach Ashley Giles after 'losing' his action.

Remedial work, designed to sort out run-up problems and a habit of knocking the stumps over with his right knee, under the guidance of Middlesex coach and England selector Angus Fraser, has seen the 6ft 7in Finn take 44 County Championship wickets at under 30 apiece so far this season.

The pitch at Old Trafford is known for being 'lively' and all-rounder Chris Jordan, with England having no need of his batting in Southampton after Cook declared twice, could lose his place to Finn after a poor bowling display last time out. 

"It will depend on what England see in the pitch over whether Steven plays," Fraser told the Daily Telegraph.

"But is he bowling as well as when he played for England in the past. The answer is yes."

For India, the need to match Ali's threat could see off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin play his first Test this year in a bid to bolster an attack that looked a bowler 'light' at the Ageas Bowl.

"Moeen bowled well (at Southampton) but we let him bowl well," said India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"It's important to be positive against spinners."

In the absence of injured Lord's star Ishant Sharma, also ruled out of the fourth Test, India lacked pace and a physical threat.

Jharkand fast bowler Varun Aaron, who played his only Test two years ago, could come into the side although it would be tough on Pankaj Singh were he the bowler to make way.

Singh recorded the worst wicketless figures by a Test debutant - none for 179 - in Southampton but was unlucky with both dropped catches and lbw appeals.

Someone with far less cause for complaint were he to be omitted is opener Shikhar Dhawan, who has scored just 122 runs in six innings this series with a top score of 37.

Fellow left-hander Gautam Gambhir, who played the last of his 54 Tests against England in December 2012, is waiting in the wings.

Probable teams and officials for the third Test between England and India at Old Trafford starting on Thursday:

England (from): Alastair Cook (capt), Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler (wkt), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Ben Stokes, Chris Jordan

India (from): Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wkt), Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Pankaj Singh, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Varun Aaron

Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) and Marais Erasmus (RSA)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)





 

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