India halt England fightback

SOUTHAMPTON: India took three wickets on a morning of fluctuating fortunes as England established a lead of 65 in their second innings before losing opener Keaton Jennings in the final over before lunch on the third day of the Fourth Test in Southampton yesterday.

Opener and captain Joe Root had looked to be edging England in front but Jennings was trapped lbw on 36 by Mohammed Shami to reduce the home side to 92-3. Root is unbeaten on 30.

That total represented something of a recovery after India struck twice within the first 12 overs to remove Alastair Cook (12) and Moeen Ali (9), who was promoted up the order to allow Root to bat at his favoured position of four.

England resumed on six without loss — a deficit of 21 — with their openers finally hoping to post the sort of partnership that has eluded them all series.

Although they succeeded in seeing off the initial threat of Ravichandran Ashwin, who bowled three overs, the sight of Jasprit Bumrah replacing the spinner can hardly have filled them with confidence.

Bumrah had produced an unplayable ball to remove Jennings in the first innings and quickly accounted for Cook in the second when a full delivery was edged to KL Rahul, who hung on at the third attempt.

Moeen came in next, promoted up the order after scoring a double hundred for his county last month and then impressing with the bat in England’s first innings.

He never looked comfortable, though, guiding his first ball through the slips and then edging Ishant Sharma to Rahul, who took a fine low catch. The home side took full advantage of their good fortune, with Root and Jennings looking to edge England to the sort of total that might challenge India as the team batting last on a pitch offering hope to the spinners.

Root survived a review when India challenged a failed lbw shout from Bumrah, but DRS confirmed that the ball was too high.