Moeen Ali was present in both of England’s two big partnerships on the first day of the fifth Test in Chennai. And, in both these partnerships, he was the sidekick, the foil to the aggressor at the other end.

Ali and Joe Root put on a 146-run partnership to get their team out from 21/2. Ali started off shakily, he was dropped by KL Rahul on nought and added 58 to the partnership. Next, with Jonny Bairstow following Joe Root’s dismissal, Ali added 37 in a 86-run partnership.

Root was dismissed on 88, Bairstow on 49 but Ali, to his credit, held England’s innings together on his way to a fine century, just before the end of the day’s play. It was a patient knock, there were only eight boundaries in his 100 and he only opened up after the second new ball was taken. More importantly, his unbeaten knock got England to 284/4 at close and still in chance of putting up a substantial first innings score in Chennai.

What worked for India was they got key wickets just when required. Joe Root’s wicket came at just the right moment and Virat Kohli showed great captaincy in Bairstow’s dismissal, getting Ravindra Jadeja to bowl a teasing line outside off and keeping a catching fielder. They will not be disappointed by England’s score but will hope to get Ali out quickly once play resumes on the second day.

Brief scores:

England 284/4 (Moeen Ali 120 not out; Joe Root 88; Ravindra Jadeja 3/71, Ishant Sharma 1/25)