You are here: Home » Cricket India » Cook, Strauss solid on rain-curtailed first day at The Oval

Cook, Strauss solid on rain-curtailed first day at The Oval

Related Links : India’s Tour of England 2011 : England Players : India Players : Scorecard of 4th Npower Test at Edgbaston

It was a rain-hit opening day’s play in the fourth and final Test at The Oval in London. The last two session were entirely wiped out due to persistent rain. England were off to a solid opening start before the rain intervention.

The morning session saw some solid English batting against a weak Indian bowling. The hosts after winning the toss, elected to bat first on a good track under overcast conditions. India despite losing three Tests made just the one change to its line-up with left armer RP Singh replacing Praveen Kumar who pulled out with an ankle injury. England retained the same winning combination with James Anderson declared fit.

It was an uninspiring start from the Indian bowlers especially with RP Singh spraying harmless deliveries down the legside. There was hardly any pace or carry for RP Singh and a huge first innings total seemed to be invevitable for England against a toothless bowling attack. Ishant Sharma was the only bowler who did pose a few questions in the corridor of uncertainity but luck continued to desert him on this tour.

By Lunch, England moved to 75 for no loss in 26 overs with Strauss on 38* (from 74 balls with 5 fours) and Cook on 34* (from 82 balls with 4 fours).