Stokes, openers put England on top against India

Ben Stokes’ first five-wicket haul in eight years and a dizzying opening partnership gave England much the better of the second day of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett flayed some wayward India bowling at a rate of more than five an over in their stand of 166, taking a huge chunk out of the tourists’ 358.

For Crawley, 84 on the ground he made his career-highlight 189 against Australia two years ago was a welcome contribution. Duckett, the premier opener in the world, crunched 94.

Though they fell in the space of two overs, Ollie Pope and Joe Root were able to take England to 225-2, 133 behind.

Stokes claimed three of the six India wickets to fall on Thursday to end with 5-72, while Jofra Archer continued his comeback with 3-73.

England were superb with the ball, though they were partly held up by the bravery of Rishabh Pant.

Pant retired on day one with a suspected broken foot after being struck by Chris Woakes. In scenes of high drama, he hobbled down the stairs to resume his innings on 37 and nudged his way to 54 before Archer spectacularly uprooted his off stump.

Pant is not keeping wicket and India are yet to confirm his injury. It seems likely he will bat in the second innings, when the visitors look set for a battle to stay in the series.

Pant’s bravery fails to halt England surge

This day had a bit of everything, helped by conditions that gave something to bowlers and batters alike.

England were excellent and a little unlucky with the ball, led by the rejuvenated Stokes. Pant’s slow descent down the dressing-room steps produced a moment of pure theatre, then the way the home openers climbed into the India bowling was freewheeling Bazball.

At the end of it all, England have a platform from which they can win the series with a match to spare.

Pant’s return was as remarkable as it was unexpected. After a scan overnight, he arrived at the ground in a protective boot. Still, he was seen in the dressing room wearing his whites and, when Shardul Thakur became the second wicket of the day to fall, Pant limped to the middle.

Despite an understandable lack of foot movement, he faced 27 balls and even heaved Archer for six. India added 35 valuable runs while he was at the crease.

Only two teams have made more than India’s 358 batting first in a Test on this ground and gone on to lose, so their total looked competitive until England tucked in. (BBC)