Moeen Ali’s unbeaten knock of 120 helped England post 284/4 on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test match against India in Chennai on Friday.
After winning the toss, England chose to bat first and started off on the back foot, losing openers Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings with just 21 on the board. The visitors limped into lunch at 68/2.
Along with Joe Root (88), Ali added 146 runs at the third wicket to rescue England from the precarious position. The pair looked in control before Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery sent Root back to the pavillion.
Ali, however, stood his ground and continued to form England’s resistance as India sniffed a comeback. His 86-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow (49) thwarted India’s attempts at holding England back. Jadeja, who had picked up Cook’s wicket, dismissed Bairstow near the fag end of the day to keep England in check.
Ishant Sharma, who returned to the playing eleven after sitting out for a few games, took the first wicket of the day – his delivery forced Jennings to edge one to keeper Parthiv Patel in sixth over. Ali had steadied the ship from then on. His partnerships with Root and Bairstow helped England finish strong on the opening day of the match.
The visitors have already lost the five-match series, with India leading 3-0.
Brief scores:
England 284/4 (Moeen Ali 120 not out; Joe Root 88; Ravindra Jadeja 3/71, Ishant Sharma 1/25) vs India.
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