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29 March 2024

India vs England 3rd Test, Day 2: Bell recaptures form as England punish India

Published
By Cricket Correspondent

Ian Bell returned to form in spectacular fashion with a superb 167 and debutant Jos Buttler also shone to help England strengthen their dominant position over India on the second day of the third Test on Monday.

Bell recovered from a tentative start to exhibit trademark elegance, bringing up his first hundred in 26 innings by thumping Ravindra Jadeja down the ground for six before hitting the spinner for two more boundaries and another maximum in the same over.

England, 1-0 down in the five-match series after losing at Lord's last week, declared on 569 for seven in their first innings after a quickfire 85 full of expansive strokes by new test wicketkeeper Buttler.

Struggling India then closed on 25-1 in their first innings, James Anderson snaffling Shikhar Dhawan (6) yet again with Alastair Cook taking the catch.

Previously beleaguered England, who have not won in 10 tests, will look to ram home their advantage on day three and try to avoid having to bat again if they can enforce a follow on.

"I feel like I've been playing well recently but I have found strange ways to get out so it's nice to get a big hundred and contribute," Bell told reporters.

"It's been frustrating for me personally and the team lately but hopefully we can push this game on and getting runs is a good habit to start."

Sunday centurion Gary Ballance, who shared a stand of 142 with Bell, was the victim of a poor decision just before lunch when he was given out caught behind for 156, despite no hint of an edge on replays.

After the interval, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted to utilise his seamers in one over spells, attempting to break England's concentration.

It paid dividends early on as Joe Root (3) got a regulation edge to Dhoni after being tempted into a prod outside off stump by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

SWASHBUCKLING INNINGS

Clearly buoyed by taking his first wicket, Kumar added the scalp of Moeen Ali (12) by teasing the batsman into taking on the short ball which he bottom edged to Ajinkya Rahane at second slip.

Towards the end of the middle session, the ball began to nibble around in the overcast conditions and Buttler survived a third umpire review after Rahane thought he got his fingers to a low chance at second slip.

Buttler, replacing the injured and out-of-form Matt Prior, profited and demonstrated his prowess with an exhilarating stand of 106 with Bell.

"We know the potential he has from seeing him in the one-day game. He played with great instinct and he was outstanding," Bell said of Buttler.

"If we can get platforms he can come in and move us on to winning positions. He's an exciting player."

Bell's swashbuckling innings, which included 19 fours and three sixes, came to an end when he attempted to hit Kumar over mid-off but instead picked out Pankaj Singh.

Buttler played superbly in a situation conducive to his attacking one-day style, dispatching the bowling attack to all parts of the ground with ruthless power.

He survived a simple missed stumping by Dhoni and eventually played on to a Jadeja delivery as he sensed a debut ton, forcing a declaration from Cook.

"The wicket was quite easy for the batsmen and it has been a long time in the field for us," said Kumar, who took 3-101.

"We were expecting a response because after losing a Test match you expect them to come back stronger but we tried our best to limit their runs."

CLOSE

England are firmly in control of the third Test after they had India staring down the barrel at the end of Day 2 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Monday.

Captain Alastair Cook declared the England innings at 569 for 7 after Ian Bell scored 167 and debutant Jos Buttler slammed a quickfire 85, while Gary Ballance reached his highest Test score of 156.

India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the most successful bowler in trying circumstances with three wickets as the others toiled in vain.

In reply, India were 25 for 1 after Dhawan (6) fell early once again to his nemesis James Anderson.

Murali Vijay (11) and Cheteshwar Pujara (4) were at the crease with India trailing England by 544 runs in the first innings.

Chris Woakes is given to bowl the final over of the day.

Anderson troubles Pujara again from round the wicket and his edge falls short off Bell at second slip.

Loud appeal from the England players as the ball hits Pujara's thigh pad off Anderson and into Buttler's gloves. 

Two overs remain with India on 25 for 1.

India are 22/1 after 11 overs.

Four overs to go for close of play.

Anderson squares Dhawan up once again as he edges to Cook at first slip.

Shikhar Dhawan c Cook b Anderson 6 (17b 1x4 0x6) SR: 35.29 

India are 17/0 after six overs.

Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan get off to a steady start as India face an uphill task.

ENGLAND FIRST INNINGS

England took control of the third Test after Ian Bell notched a century and debutant Jos Buttler scored 85 quick runs as Cook declared the hosts' first innings at 569 for 7.

India will have to face 14 overs before close of play on Day 2.

Buttler goes for a heave and is bowled which leads to a declaration from Cook.

Jos Buttler b Jadeja 85 (83b 9x4 3x6) SR: 102.40

The Indian bowling looks tired and Buttler capitalises to hoist Pankaj over mid wicket for two sixes. Pankaj goes for 21 runs in the over.

Dhoni misses a stumping chance against Buttler off Jadeja.

England 534/6 after 160 overs.

A fantastic knock from Bell comes to an end as he goes for a big hit and hands Pankaj an easy catch to give Bhuvneshwar his third wicket.

Ian Bell c Pankaj Singh b Kumar 167 (256b 19x4 3x6) SR: 65.23 

Buttler nudges for a single to bring up his half century on debut.

Bell and Buttler seem to be feasting on the Indian attack as they raise 100 runs for the sixth wicket.

Jadeja gets some stick here from Buttler as he hooks him for a big six following it with a reverse sweep four.

England are 495/5 after 155 overs.

Bell gets to his 150, his fifth in 103 Tests, and it comes off 241 balls with 17 fours and three sixes. 

DROPPED: Buttler is dropped at first slip by Dhawan and the bowler is Shami.

Bell and Buttler bring up their 50-run partnership.

England are 468/5 after 150 overs.

England will need to up their scoring in order to get close to 500 and give Cook the confidence to declare.

TEA

Ian Bell notched his first century of the season as England went to tea at 452 for 5 in the third Test against India.

Bell was unbeaten on 133 and giving him company was Jos Buttler on 13.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged both England wickets between lunch and tea getting rid of Joe Root (3) and Moeen Ali (12) but England are in a good position and will be looking at declaring very soon and there are chances of rain disrupting play.

A good over by Bhuvneshwar where he should have had Buttler but Rahane seemed to have grassed the ball at second slip. Erasmus went up to the third umpire and it was given not out. Then Bell edged one but it falls short off Dhawan.

England are 426/5 after 138 overs and the flooglights are on due to overcast conditions. It's only 3.10pm there.

Moeen once again falls for his bogey-ball, the short one, as he tries to pull Bhuvneshwar but gets the bottom edge and Rahane dives from second slip in front of Dhawan to take a diving catch.

Moeen Ali c Rahane b Kumar 12 (28b 1x4 0x6) SR: 42.85 

Bell takes Jadeja to the cleaners hitting him for 21 runs with two sixes and two fours and a single.

What a way to bring up his ton. Bell goes down the wicket to Jadeja and plonks him over for a six to bring up his first hundred since the Ashes and his 21st in 103 Test matches.

India will be content with the first hour of play after lunch as they conceded only 30 runs but got the important wicket of Joe Root.

England 388/4 after 132 overs and it's drinks break.

England are 385/4 after 130 overs.

Root is tempted to give Bhuvneshwar the charge and steps out but is caught in two minds and while trying to withdraw his bat at the last minute gets an edge which Dhoni takes for his third catch.

Joe Root c Dhoni b Kumar 3 (25b 0x4 0x6) SR: 12.00

The first boundary comes up after lunch when Bell clips Pankaj down square leg. 

England are 371/3 after 125 overs.

Bell and Root seem to have gone into a shell as only 10 runs are scored after 5 overs post lunch.

Bhuvneshwar bowls a maiden.

LUNCH

England are firmly in control of the third Test after Gary Ballance and Ian Bell put on 142 runs for the third wicket as the hosts went to lunch at 358 for 3 against India at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Monday.

Ballance was unfortunate to have been given out caught behind after scoring a fluent 156 from 288 balls which had 24 boundaries in it.

It was part-time bowler Rohit Sharma who broke the partnership against the run of play when he supposedly got the inside-edge of Ballance's bat.

But Ian Bell looks good with an unbeaten 68 and Joe Root was on 2 when lunch was taken after England put on 111 in the morning session.

The bails are off and its lunch.

Part-time off-spinner Rohit Sharma gets the breakthrough by getting rid of Ballance and end the 142-run partnership just before lunch.

Gary Ballance c Dhoni b Sharma 156 (288b 24x4 0x6) SR: 54.16

England have put on 100 runs in the first session. Eng 350/2 in 116 overs.

India are losing the plot here as Bell too piles on the agony with another four through point.

Ballance gets to his 150 after pulling a short ball from Pankaj to beat the man at deep square leg.

Ballance makes Jadeja pay the price for drifitng down the leg too often as he goes after him. Eng 336/2 in 114 overs.

Jadeja drops it short and Ballance is quick to pull him down the leg side for his 21st four in his score of 141.

Boundaries continue to flow from Bell's bat as he races to 60.

No stopping Bell here as he goes on his toes to thump Shami through point for another boundary to bring up the 100 partnership with Ballance. Eng 318/2.

Bell clips Shami down the leg to bring up his 43rd Test half century from 103 matches.

Bell steps outside and stylishly lofts Jadeja over his head for a six.

England 301/2 after 105 overs.

DRINKS

Ballance and Bell are going great guns here. They've put on 88 runs so far for the third wicket with Ballance unbeaten on 134 and Bell 40. Eng 301/2 in 104 overs.

Pankaj goes round the wicket but strays and Ballance is quick to punish him for three fours. Eng 301/2.

Bell is on his toes as Shami bangs the ball in but its played nicely by the batsman moving him into the 40s.

A short ball from Pankaj is caressed beautifully through covers for four.

Shami raps Ballance on the pads but its going down leg side. Eng 282/2 after 100 overs.

Bhuvneshwar has no clue as Ballance hits him down mid-wicket for another four to reach 119. Eng 280/2.

Ballance goes on the back foot and thumps Bhuvneshwar through point and next ball down leg side for two fours to surpass his highest score of 110 in Tests.

Ballance flicks one from Pankaj down the leg side to bring up the 50-run partnership with Bell. Eng 263/2.

A classic cover drive for four from Bell off Bhuvneshwar will give the England batsman some confidence. 

Pankaj gets the outside egde off Bell but the ball finds its way past the slip cordon for four. The next ball is down the leg side and Bell clips him off his toes. Back-to-back boundaries take England to 257/2.

Bell plays and misses against Pankaj Singh. The England batsman is lucky not to get an edge here.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar begins with a maiden against Gary Ballance. Eng 247/2. 

India are in a huddle with Dhoni doing a lot of talking to his players as both England batsmen come out to bat.

England will look to centurion Gary Ballance and Ian Bell to propel their score on the second day of the third Test which gets underway at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton in a few minutes from now.

India, on the other hand, will have to take some quick wickets to keep their hopes alive in the match.

Lets see what's in store.

CLOSE (Day 1)

Under-fire captain Alastair Cook made a courageous 95 and Gary Ballance struck a fine century to put England in control at 247 for two on the first day of the third Test against India on Sunday.

Ballance was unbeaten on 104 at the close and beleaguered captain Cook survived a dropped catch to silence his critics with a battling knock after making a brave decision to bat first.

Ian Bell (16 not out) and Ballance safely negotiated the second new ball and the pair will resume on Monday when England will bid to post a large total as they bid to level the five-match series.

Cook, in dreadful recent form which has led to calls from former England captains Michael Vaughan, Geoff Boycott, Mike Atherton and Kevin Pietersen to step down, had a huge slice of luck on 15 when he was dropped by Ravindra Jadeja at slip.

He survived to add 158 with Ballance, who joined an elite group of players by scoring his third century in his first six tests.

Cook batted with few alarms and was looking good for his 26th test century when he feathered a faint edge down the leg side off Jadeja and was caught by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“The reception was like nothing I've ever experienced. It was a really nice feeling,” Cook said.

“I was delighted to get 95 but also frustrated that I didn't get a hundred but if you'd have offered me that score yesterday I'd have snapped your hand off.

“It has given me some confidence that my batting is going in the right direction and hopefully I can carry on scoring runs.”

Cook did, however, reach a significant personal landmark as he overtook David Gower to move into third place in the list of England's all-time leading Test run-scorers, on 8,257. Graham Gooch leads the list with 8,900 from Alec Stewart on 8,463.

“They're really nice achievements aren't they but at the beginning of the day I wasn't thinking about it at all,” Cook said.

Cook made the brave call to bat after winning the toss and despite a hint of movement for the seamers, the hosts lost only Sam Robson for 26 in the morning, caught at third slip off Mohammed Shami.

The afternoon session belonged to England, although India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar and debutant Pankaj Singh began to find their length with much greater consistency.

CLOSE CALL

Ballance survived a close caught behind call and several deliveries whistled just past the outside edge before he and Cook reached tea with an unbroken partnership of 131.

Cook looked nervous in the nineties and he perished trying to pull a short leg-side delivery from Jadeja which he nicked through to Dhoni.

Ballance had upped the scoring rate and reached his century, which included 15 fours, with a perfectly-timed boundary.

He was well supported by Bell, although the experienced right-hander was fortunate to survive following a close lbw shout off Singh.

"Today the scoreboard says it's not our day and it wasn't the best day on tour for our bowling attack but Pankaj bowled pretty well and if things went his way he would have had a couple of wickets," India bowling coach Joe Dawes said.

"There's improvement to make tomorrow and hopefully we can get an early breakthrough.

"If we can get two or three poles in the morning we'll be well back in it. We need to make them play a little bit more."