Day Two
With last Indian wicket falling quickly in the morning session,England began day 2 on a good note.Cook and Robson walked out to bat as Indian innings folded for 295,clearly 100 runs greater than what Englishmen would have expected,especially at tea time on day one.Well,Cook was under enormous pressure and there was no mercy either from Indian bowlers.He badly needed some runs under his belt but he didn't help himself by nicking a Kumar delivery as wicket-keeper Dhoni completed the catch.Cook took a long walk towards famous Lord's balcony as he was dismissed only for 10,yet another failure!.Runs dried up for England as Robson followed his captain shortly leaving England in a spot of bother at 31/2.Senior pro Bell joined young Ballance at the crease and both of them had to grind for their runs as the duo safely steered England Past 50 at lunch.
Post lunch,Kumar got his third scalp when he dismissed Bell as England were reduced to 71/3.Root,joined Ballance at the fall of Bell's wicket and there were high expectations from him,following his hundred in first Test,he being the batsman in form.Root and Ballance stitched together a 42 run partnership before Root succumbed to Jadeja delivery that trapped him in front of his stumps as England found themselves in a critical position at 113/4.Fall of wickets at regular intervals and lack of substantial partnerships were hurting England and they desperately needed one to stabilize their innings.soon,Ballance completed his hard-earned fifty as he and M Ali went into Tea being unbeaten with England's score reading 125/4.
After Tea,England started to play well and conditions ,being predominantly sunny eased out for batting.The duo of Ballance and Ali made full use of good batting conditions as they completed their 50 run stand-first of the innings for England.Ballance,who was earlier given a life in the slip cordon was making India pay for it and he was nearing his 2nd Test hundred.England went past 200 and young Ballance too got to his hundred as England by then were in a commanding position trailing India by 90 odd runs with 6 wickets still remaining.However,it was India,who finished the day on a better note as they were able to get rid of both the set batsman-Ali and Ballance.Ali was dismissed by part-time off-spinner Vijay while Ballance was caught down the leg-side off B Kumar's bowling for a hard-fought 110. Plunkett and Prior negotiated the last couple of overs of the day as England ended second day's play at 219/6.
Score:
India 295
England 219/6
Stumps,Day 2.
Post lunch,Kumar got his third scalp when he dismissed Bell as England were reduced to 71/3.Root,joined Ballance at the fall of Bell's wicket and there were high expectations from him,following his hundred in first Test,he being the batsman in form.Root and Ballance stitched together a 42 run partnership before Root succumbed to Jadeja delivery that trapped him in front of his stumps as England found themselves in a critical position at 113/4.Fall of wickets at regular intervals and lack of substantial partnerships were hurting England and they desperately needed one to stabilize their innings.soon,Ballance completed his hard-earned fifty as he and M Ali went into Tea being unbeaten with England's score reading 125/4.
The duo of Ballance and Ali steady the ship for England
After Tea,England started to play well and conditions ,being predominantly sunny eased out for batting.The duo of Ballance and Ali made full use of good batting conditions as they completed their 50 run stand-first of the innings for England.Ballance,who was earlier given a life in the slip cordon was making India pay for it and he was nearing his 2nd Test hundred.England went past 200 and young Ballance too got to his hundred as England by then were in a commanding position trailing India by 90 odd runs with 6 wickets still remaining.However,it was India,who finished the day on a better note as they were able to get rid of both the set batsman-Ali and Ballance.Ali was dismissed by part-time off-spinner Vijay while Ballance was caught down the leg-side off B Kumar's bowling for a hard-fought 110. Plunkett and Prior negotiated the last couple of overs of the day as England ended second day's play at 219/6.
Ballance delighted after scoring his hudred
Score:
India 295
England 219/6
Stumps,Day 2.
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