Bhuvneshwar strikes but game hangs in balance

LORD’S: When your opponent is down, you keep him down. That’s the first advice a player receives in his career. India were served a cruel reminder by Gary Ballance on the second day of the second Test.

Balance was 32 and England 95 for three, when Stuart Binny induced a thick edge but to his disbelief neither wicketkeeper MS Dhoni nor first slip Shikhar Dhawan reacted as the ball flew between them. India were left to rue the opportunity as Ballance batted doggedly to help his team remain in the game. Riding on Ballance’s 110, the hosts inched close to India’s 295, finishing at 219 for six.

It has left the game enticingly poised. Neither team can claim decisive advantage. England trail by 76 with four wickets in hand and a fierce fight is expected on the third morning when India will be fancying their chances.

Overall, it proved to be a fascinating day’s cricket, as the India bowlers bowled their hearts out to make England work for each run. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the toast of his side. In a fine exhibition of swing bowling, the wiry bowler prized out four top-order wickets to lead India’s charge. He bowled accurately and tirelessly to finish with figures of 23-9-46-4.

He was supported splendidly by Ishant Sharma. Though not at his best, Mohammed Shami bowled well in patches to keep up the pressure. The highlight of India’s bowling on Friday was the way focused on sticking to the basics and building pressure from both ends for long periods.

Bhuvi hit the right length immediately. Bowling within himself, he kept the ball up and concentrated on making the batsmen play. With the wicket offering help, the plan worked to perfection.

He put England immediately on the back-foot by sending back both the openers before the total had crossed 31. Alastair Cook fell while fishing outside off-stump and his partner Sam Robson paid the price for trying an extravagant drive.

Ian Bell put up a brief resistance but judgment deserted him again, as it did at Trent Bridge, and in trying to take his gloves away at the last minute, offered a simple catch to slips.

At 70 for three, India were on top. But, this game has swung from session to session. True to its nature, England found their saviour in Ballance.

The England No 3 soaked in all the pressure at the start and then opened up once he got his eye in. He targeted Binny for special treatment and raced to his hundred with five fours off nine balls from the India pacer.

After Joe Root fell to a poor decision from umpire Oxenford, Ballance steadied the innings with a 92-run partnership with Moeen Ali.

Just when it looked like Ballance and Ali would seize the advantage, Dhoni came up with a masterstroke by giving an over to Murali Vijay. The opening batsman got Ali and Bhuvi nailed Ballance with the second new ball to leave the game wide open.