(REUTERS)
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England’s Test team are back in action for the first time in almost six months, when they start a five-Test tour of India in Hyderabad.
India have been utterly dominant on home soil over the past decade and have lost just three out of 46 Test matches as hosts since they last lost a series, to Sir Alastair Cook’s England side back in 2012.
England will face arguably their toughest challenge since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took the reigns in 2022, but they have approached the tour with the same attitude that they have held going into every other series. Stokes is set to lead the side, despite undergoing knee surgery towards the end of November, and according to McCullum he “looks like a greyhound” having put a lot of work in to recover for the series.
England were dealt a blow shortly before the first Test when Harry Brook returned home for personal reasons, although they will be buoyed with the news that Virat Kohli was also ruled out of the first two Tests for personal reasons.
Follow all the live action from Hyderabad in the blog below and get all the latest India vs England odds and tips here:
India vs England live: Hyderabad Test, day one
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Lunch: England 108-3
Here is a Cricviz stat to put this morning into perspective:
108-3 is the highest score at the end of the first session by a visiting team batting first in India since Australia managed 131-1 at Dharamsala in March 2017.
Sonia Twigg25 January 2024 06:25
Photos from the first session
Here are some photos from the morning session:
(AP)
(REUTERS)
(AP)
Sonia Twigg25 January 2024 06:17
Lunch: England 108-3
Good morning, to those just waking up now and joining us, here is a recap of the first session:
England came flying out of the blocks having won the toss, but India’s spinners changed the game.
The visitors lost three quick wickets, slumping from 55 without loss to 60 for three, but Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow fought back to keep their wickets intact and see England through to lunch without the loss of more wickets.
There was some trepidation, Crawley left the first ball from Bumrah, a slight contrast to his masterful four which started the Ashes series at Edgbaston.
But there was still an attacking intent shown against the seamers, although the spinners changed the game.
Worryingly for England as well is that, after the first session on the first day, it is already turning.
Sonia Twigg25 January 2024 06:13
India vs England
Ravindra Jadeja to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, Left for no runs, fielded by Bharat.
India vs England
Ravindra Jadeja to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to cover for no runs.
India vs England
Ravindra Jadeja to Jonny Bairstow. Stock ball half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, to deep cover for 2 runs, fielded by Ashwin.
India vs England
FOUR! Ravindra Jadeja to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot Late Cut, well timed past third man for 4 runs.
India vs England
Axar Patel to Joe Root. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, to point for no runs, fielded by Iyer.
India vs England
Axar Patel to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, to deep backward point for 1 run, fielded by Gill.
India vs England
Axar Patel to Jonny Bairstow. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly point for no runs, fielded by Jaiswal.