Nick Compton
ecb.co.uk

England face an uphill task to prevent India from taking a 1-0 series lead in the first of the four Test series, after they finished Day Three still trailing by 219 runs.

The visitors, who started the day at 41/3, continued to struggle against the Indian spinners and were dismissed for 191 shortly before tea. However, Alastair Cook's side, who were asked to follow on, finally gave the travelling supporters something to cheer about as openers Cook and Nick Compton held fort in the second innings, ending the day on an unbeaten 111 partnership. India declared their first innings at 521/8 earlier.

England struggled in the morning sessions, as they quickly fell from 69/3 to 110/7. Matt Prior (48), Tim Bresnan (19) and Stuart Broad (25) offered some resistance after the lunch break but they could not stop India from posing a massive lead as the visitors were dismissed for 191 with Pragyan Ojha taking 5/45.

MS Dhoni asked Cook to follow on as India looked to dismiss England's top order cheaply in the third session, like they did in the first innings the other day. However, Cook and Compton showed much more composure at the crease this time, to launch an effort in preventing an innings defeat. Cook was aggressive, piling on 74 runs from 124 balls, while Compton provided support to his captain with a composed 34, as the openers staged a century stand.

India are still well in control of the game and England have a Herculean task ahead of them if they are to force Dhoni's side to even bat again in this match but this start provides them with some hope when they begin Day Four.

Day 3 Summary

  • India (1st innings) 521/8 dec (Pujara 206 not out; Swann 5/144)
  • England (1st innings) 191 (Prior 48; Ojha 5/45)
  • England (2nd innings) 111/0 (Cook 74 not out)

England are 219 runs behind

India