Bess in the spotlight as England stay strong in Chennai Test clash

Dom Bess took centre stage with four wickets as England cricketers hammered home their advantage in the first Test against India yesterday.

The hosts responded to an imposing first-innings score of 578 by scrapping to 257 for six at stumps, with Bess running through a high-class middle order.

Capturing India captain Virat Kohli at bat-pad for just 11 was the off-spinner’s moment of the day – and probably his career thus far – and he also ended a thrilling counter-attack from Rishabh Pant for 91.

He relied on good fielding and good fortune too, Joe Root taking a brilliant one-handed catch to see off Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara left aghast when his pull shot looped to midwicket via a huge deflection off the cowering Ollie Pope.

Bess ended with figures of four for 55, another significant return for a player who is clearly learning on the job as a Test cricketer but regularly finds a way to meet the challenges in front of him.

With Jofra Archer earlier accounting for both openers with the new ball, England walked off at stumps 321 ahead and with a big chance to open up the road to a series-opening victory.

The tourists batted on for 41 minutes on the third morning in Chennai, eking out another 23 runs before Bess (34) and James Anderson were removed.

Bess he singled out the England skipper for praise following his fine catch to dismiss Rahane.

“It is one of those days where it sticks for you what a player Rooty is at the moment.” he told Channel 4.

India captain Virat Kohli could only manage 11 runs.