(Action Images via Reuters)
England take on India at Edgbaston today as their protracted Test series finally comes to a conclusion.
The two sides went head to head last year in a five-match series which saw India take charge, leading 2-1 with one Test to play. But a Covid outbreak in the Indian camp scuppered the final match at Old Trafford, and the series is only now being resolved. England come into the match in much better shape than last year and full of confidence after dispatching New Zealand 3-0 under the stewardship of new captain Ben Stokes and new head coach Brendon McCullum.
England make two changes with Sam Billings taking over from the unwell Ben Foakes and James Anderson back to lead the bowling attack. Foakes missed the last couple of days of the victory over New Zealand at Headingley after testing positive for Covid-19, with Billings stepping in as an emergency replacementy. With 39-year-old Anderson fit again after a niggling ankle injury, England made the difficult decision to drop Jamie Overton. The Surrey seamer, who made 97 on debut and took two wickets, has been unable to edge ahead of a first-choice trio comprising Anderson, Stuart Broad and Matthew Potts.
Follow the latest score and Test updates below:
OUT! Pujara c Crawley b Anderson 13. India 46-2
Anderson hitting the seam hard here and tying up the Indian batters. Inswinger for Anderson is then flicked to leg for one.
OUT! Final delivery of the over, movement away, Pujara edges it and this time Crawley makes no mistake! Safely caught and immediate redemption.
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:58
DROPPED! India 45-1 (Pujara 13*, Vihari 7*) – 17 overs
No-ball from Potts as he goes too short. Ooooh, that’s a belter though – in-between length to draw Vihari forward then beat him off the seam.
DROPPED! Final ball of the over – genuine edge from Vihari, it wobbles but into Crawley’s right hand. It hits it hard and he can’t hold on. It rolls away for a single
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:54
India 43-1 (Pujara 13*, Vihari 6*) – 16 overs
Anderson back into the attack in place of Broad, who looked like he was struggling slightly in that seventh over. Can Jimmy take a wicket and bring the great Virat Kohli to the crease?
Varying the length slightly to keep Pujara on his toes but well defended. A maiden for Anderson though to build the pressure.
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:48
India 43-1 (Pujara 13*, Vihari 6*) – 15 overs
More seam movement for Potts as one nips back in to Vihari but there’s no inside edge, just thigh pad on the way through. Potts bowling a good line here.
EDGE from Vihari off the next ball as one stays low but it’s well short of the slips. Good soft hand. A maiden.
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:44
REVIEW – NOT OUT! India 43-1 (Pujara 13*, Vihari 6*) – 14 overs
Broad into his seventh over as play resumes after drinks.
A first-ball single and then Pujara slams a cut shot for FOUR! Broad down to 79mph there – is he getting tired.
Next ball and he’s OUT! Broad gets one to move back in, Pujara snicks it and Billings catches – he’s gone! They call for a DRS REVIEW though.
Ultra Edge shows no inside edge, the ball nicked off the thigh pad, which was the sound, so Pujara gets a reprieve
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:40
VIDEO: Jimmy Anderson takes England’s first wicket of the day
Just one wicket in the opening half session and it’s Jimmy Anderson who got Shubman Gill to edge to slip.
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:36
India 38-1 (Pujara 9*, Vihari 5*) – 13 overs
The slip cordon is absolutely jam-packed for Potts but he can’t coax an edge. A single and a leg bye off the over.
And that’s DRINKS! A wicket for England but otherwise solid from India.
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:30
India 36-1 (Pujara 8*, Vihari 5*) – 12 overs
Broad continues and there’s almost a run-out! Vihari pushes one slightly wide of mid-on, the call is late, Pujara starts late, and Anderson goes for Pujara’s end. Pujara dives, but that wouldn’t have been enough to save him had Anderson hit,
A safer single to leg off the next ball.
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:27
India 34-1 (Pujara 7*, Vihari 4*) – 11 overs
Matty Potts into the attack after Anderson’s impressive spell. Figures of 5-1-13-1.
Slightly short of a length from Potts and Vihari nicely punches it wide of cover for two. A leg bye from the following ball is the only other damage done. Potts also beats Pujara outside off with the penultimate ball.
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:22
India 31-1 (Pujara 7*, Vihari 2*) – 10 overs
Pujara defends well from Broad with little pushes into the off side. A brave, but good, leave from the fourth ball and Broad then completes a maiden.
Luke Baker1 July 2022 11:16
