ENG Vs IND 2018: 1st Test, Birmingham - Review of England's 1st Innings

In the first Test of five-match Test series between England and India, English skipper decided to bat first. The Indian skipper once again revealed a new secret as he changed his playing XI for the nth time (36).

In the first day of the Test match, there were little-overcast conditions. However, the pitch was completely dry.

England handed over a new partner to the former skipper, Alastair Cook. It was Keaton Jennings, who joined the crease alongside Cook.

Ishant Sharma started to irritate both the batsman early on, and he got results of his hard work very soon.

However, Ajinkya Rahane missed grabbing an easy chance of Jennings at the second slip.

Breakthrough by Ashwin:

Virat Kohli asked his ace spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin to display his magic. Ashwin bowled the seventh over of the innings.

He got a big scalp in the form of Cook when he tricked him for a mere 13 runs Joe Root joined the crease to carry on along with Jennings.

They added a partnership of 72 for the second wicket before Mohammad Shami dismissed Jennings on the first ball after the lunch break. Keaton Jennings scored a knock of 38.

Dawid Malan, who is enjoying his prime form could not contribute too much to his team. He was the third wicket to fall. He scores just eight runs before Shami caught him plumb in front of the wickets.

It was Jonny Bairstow, who joined the crease to carry on with his skipper. The duo added a partnership of 104 runs as Root tried to complete a double run before Virat Kohli caught him just short of his crease. He scored 80.

Jonny Bairstow was second highest scorer for England:

Jonny Bairstow was next man to fall. He scored a second-best knock of 70 for England. It was Umesh Yadav who castled him.

Just one run got added to the total of 223 as Jos Buttler find himself trapped in front of the wickets. It was Aswin who got his wicket. He went out cheaply for a duck.

Ben Stokes was next man to perish  Ashwin. It was an excellent illustration of soft dismissal as he handed over a simple catch to Ashwin on the team score of England’s 243. Stokes scored a knock of 21.

Adil Rashid was the eighth wicket to fall who scored just 13 runs followed by Stuart Broad as England ended up the first day with 285 for nine wickets.

Second day in Birmingham for England:

It was a just matter of two runs when Sam Curran gifted his wicket to Shami on the team score of 287 in the 1st innings.

From the bowling perspective, Ashwin got four wickets, followed by Shami who got three. Ishant Sharma and Umesh shared a single wicket each.