Englishman Joe Root reviews the ICC Cricket World Cup match
Joe Root defied an unpredictable pitch to make a timely return to form as a risk-free, unbeaten century, steadying England for a tottering opening day of the fourth Test against India in Ranchi.
On a cracked surface offering significant early help to India's bowlers, Ben Stokes' dismissal off Ravindra Jadeja left England 112 for five at lunch after a three-wicket haul by debutant Akash Deb.
But Root, who averaged 12.83 after the first three matches, ended his meager patch with a fighting 106 not out, which included 113 with Ben Fox, as England went to stumps at 302 for seven.
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India vs England
Outside! Throw. Shoaib Bashir to Yashvi Jaiswal. Ball outside the break, off off stump on a back-foot drive, wrong timing.
India vs England
Shoaib Bashir to Sarfaraz Khan. A length ball off the break, outside off stump down the driving track, for extra cover for one run, fielded by Robinson.
India vs England
four! Shoaib Bashir to Sarfaraz Khan. Ball outside the break, outside off stump on the front foot of the defence, outside edge past third man for 4 runs.
India vs England
Shoaib Bashir to Sarfaraz Khan. Ball outside the break length, outside off stump on the back foot of the defence, for short extra cover with no running, served up by Bairstow.
India vs England
Tom Hartley to Sarfaraz Khan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushed, to deep cover for a single, fielded by Crawley.
India vs England
Tom Hartley to Sarfaraz Khan. Stock length ball, from off stump on the front foot of the defence, to short wicket for no run, fielded by Bairstow.
Shoaib Bashir takes three wickets to tie England to India
Shoaib Bashir took three first-class wickets but England once again faced resistance from in-form Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in Ranchi.
Joe Root (122 not out) and Ollie Robinson (58) helped England add 51 to 302 overnight for seven but they lost their last three wickets for six runs in 17 balls on the second morning of the fourth Test.
James Anderson caught Rohit Sharma to move to within three of 700 Test wickets before the recalled Bashir trapped Shubman Gill and Rajat Patidar lbw and Ravindra Jadeja grabbed the bat as India went to tea on 131 for four.
Jaiswal (54 not out) was consistent on a pitch that, although individual deliveries remained low, was devoid of the bogeys that had caused England so much trouble 24 hours earlier.
Carl MatchettFebruary 24, 2024 09:27
India vs England
Tom Hartley to Sarfaraz Khan. A stock half-volley, from the stump on a front-foot drive, into the middle without any running, sent in by Anderson.
India vs England
Tom Hartley to Sarfaraz Khan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot, to mid on without any runs, fielded by Stokes.
India vs England
Tom Hartley to Sarfaraz Khan. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot drive, for short extra cover to not run, fielded by Bob.
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