India 92-2 vs England - Lunch: England’s brief spell before the break saw two wickets fall as India seemed to be in control
Stokes’ plan to catch them on unawares with a couple of early wickets was matched by a stubborn opening pairing, but two late wickets for England saw a change in mood amongst the England camp at Headingley.
England won the toss and chose to Bowl as what was expected by the Captain Ben Stokes.
After barrage from England’s bowlers, India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and JL Rahul rode the early on set pressure and quickly settled into their stride.
Nothing fancy from either Batsman, carefully choosing their strikes with the 23-year-old, Jaiswal racking up five 4’s and Rahul managing to strike for two 4’s and a few singles in the opening 10 overs.
England did have a glimmer of hope during the 12th over when Tongue’s direct ball hit the Jaiswal’s outside leg and then inside leg which led to Stokes challenging the on-field decision but as the replay showed the first contact, the ball was missing the stumps by a country mile.
During the 18th over, Rahul hit a double boundary from Ben Stokes’ first two balls of the over forced him into a reshuffle of his fielding team to try and force a lapse in concentration from Rahul who is settling in nicely to the crease.
And then on the cusp of lunch, Carse tempted Rahul and Joe Root caught him out and becomes the first wicket of the day. KL Rahul out for 42 from 78 balls. England will go into the lunch break feeling a bit better now.
Thing just got better and better for England as Ben Stokes balls out the debutant Sai Sudharson who hadn’t been on the field for long facing four balls and on the fourth, he is caught out, as Sudharson is out for 0 runs from 4 balls.
A Tough opening session for Ben Stokes’ England but securing that first wicket and then second wicket in the space of 10 minutes just before lunch will certainly help the mood in the dressing room.