India ahead despite Strauss century

This Test looked like it might never go ahead, and some still argue it's too soon to be playing cricket, but in the end the opening day produced a fascinating start to the short series. Despite a fine century from Andrew Strauss, a brace of wickets apiece for Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan reduced England to 229 for 5 at the close although the surface is threatening to break up later in the game.
Against the odds England controlled the first two sessions and were 164 for 1 at tea after an opening stand of 118. However, India hit back strongly, led by another outstanding display of reverse swing from Zaheer. He removed Ian Bell with the second ball after tea and bounced-out a scratchy and skittish Kevin Pietersen. Andrew Flintoff did well to survive his early trial by spin and swing, and faces a huge role on the second day with nightwatchman James Anderson for company.

Strauss's effort was a remarkable show of concentration. Barring three short innings during the Stanford week, this was his first knock since the end of the English season. He brought up his 13th Test century off 191 balls, but his dismissal late in the day, offering a low return catch to Amit Mishra, put India firmly ahead on points. The four sessions splits confirm how India fought back: 63 without loss, 101 for 1 and 65 for 4.

Zaheer's first ball after tea slanted across Bell, then the second arched back in and was heading for middle when he was trapped in front. Dhoni hadn't used Zaheer between lunch and tea, but when called upon played a vital part. Pietersen has had more to deal with in recent days than most, so it was unsurprising that he struggled at the crease. He was tested by Zaheer's swing but also Yuvraj Singh's left-arm sliders. Yuvraj caused as many moments of discomfort as Harbhajan, who was introduced in the ninth over, or Mishra and had a very close lbw shout turned down against Pietersen. Zaheer, though, claimed a deserved second wicket as Pietersen top-edged a pull which the bowler claimed in his follow-through.

Paul Collingwood retained his place in the side ahead of the in-form Owais Shah, and when your spot is being debated it doesn't help to get a rough decision. Billy Bowden thought he'd got a glove to short-leg off Harbhajan, but he missed it by at least six inches. A lot of the players have spoken about how events in Mumbai have given them a greater perspective, but once the contest is resumed in the middle, instincts take over and the disappointment was easy to detect.
England Ist innings Runs Balls Fours Sixes SR FoW
Andrew Strauss c and b Mishra 123 233 15 0 52.79 5-221 ( 83.3 ov. )
Alastair Cook c Zaheer b Harbhajan 52 116 5 0 44.83 1-118 ( 39.6 ov. )
Ian Bell lbw b Zaheer 17 51 1 0 33.33 2-164 ( 57.2 ov. )
Kevin Pietersen (c) c and b Zaheer 4 33 0 0 12.12 3-180 ( 65.4 ov. )
Paul Collingwood c Gambhir b Harbhajan 9 26 1 0 34.62 4-195 ( 72.2 ov. )
Andrew Flintoff not out 18 64 2 0 28.13
James Anderson not out 2 17 0 0 11.76
Matt Prior (wk)
Graeme Swann
Steve Harmison
Monty Panesar
Extras: ( 0 wd, 4 lb, 0 b, 0 nb, 0 p) Total: 229 / 5 in 90.0 overs (Run Rate: 2.54)
Bowler Overs Maidens Runs Wickets NoBall Wide Eco
Zaheer Khan 17.0 7 36 2 0 0 2.12
Ishant Sharma 15.0 2 29 0 0 0 1.93
Harbhajan Singh 26.0 2 67 2 0 0 2.58
Amit Mishra 20.0 4 63 1 0 0 3.15
Yuvraj Singh 11.0 2 22 0 0 0 2.00
Virender Sehwag 1.0 0 8 0 0 0 8.00