England has top service from Buttler

Jos Buttler fired England’s seamers to success on the second day of the fifth test against India.

Buttler (89) marked his 28th birthday by top-scoring for the fourth time in England’s last five innings as he and Stuart Broad’s ninth-wicket stand of 98 underpinned a recovery from 198 for seven to 332 all out.

Then James Anderson struck in successive overs to put himself two wickets short of Glenn McGrath’s world-record 563 for any pace bowler.

Ben Stokes also got two late wickets – including India captain Virat Kohli – in a total of 174 for six.

India couldn’t stop England’s charge for 20 overs until Broad tried to hit Ravindra Jadeja over the top and fell to a catch by KL Rahul.

There was to be no birthday hundred for Buttler but he was not done yet. He hit two sixes in three balls before he was last out, caught at slip trying to get more runs.

By then, England’s last three wickets had put on 151 runs and the onus was on India.

Rahul responded in a secondwicket stand of 64 which ended when Sam Curran bowled the opener.

The all-rounder had his first Test wicket on his home ground, getting the ball to leave Rahul off the pitch and take his off-bail.

Kohli survived thanks to a tight umpire’s call on 16 after a replay.

But he fell one short of his 50 when he edged a drive to second slip.

Buttler said: “It’s a massive wicket. He’s one of the best players in the world and has been outstanding.”