Chris Woakes leads England’s charge with ball, India under-par despite rapid fifty from Shardul Thakur
England 53 for 3 (Malan 26*, Bumrah 2-15) trail India 191 (Thakur 57, Kohli 50, Woakes 4-55, Robinson 3-38) by 138 runs
India were bowled out cheaply on the first day for the second Test in a row but retained a foothold after taking three England wickets in the late-afternoon sunshine at The Oval.
England had chosen to bowl after winning the toss in overcast conditions but were basking in hazy sunshine by the time their openers headed out midway through the final session. But three late wickets – both openers falling to Jasprit Bumrah and Joe Root castled by Umesh Yadav – left them teetering at 53 for 3 by the close.
Much of England’s early success came from bowling dry. They had initially struggled to find swing with the lacquer still on the new ball – James Anderson conceded 20 in his first four overs and was punished for overpitching – but Robinson and Woakes rarely erred from a good length and strung together seven consecutive maidens with the score on 28.
Those maidens included the dismissals of both openers. Woakes, back to fitness after a freak heel injury suffering slipping down a flight of stairs, had the ball swinging immediately and induced an outside edge; Rohit Sharma had been leaving fuller balls, but Woakes dragged his length back and had him caught behind by Jonny Bairstow, keeping wicket with Jos Buttler absent on paternity leave.
Full report to follow
Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98
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