23 February 2024 , 11:04
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Joe Root enjoyed a timely return to form on the first day of the fourth Test against India with a sublime century.
Root abandoned the expansive shots which have been his downfall on occasion so far on a tour in which he has struggled for runs.
The hundred, his 31st in Tests, came at a strike rate of under 50 in stark contrast to the exhilarating style of cricket we have become accustomed to under the guidance of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
But this was an innings of immense skill and craft from the Yorkshireman, and one which his team badly needed as they bid for parity in the series.
Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett fell three runs short of another 50 opening stand when Duckett nicked off debutant seamer Akash Deep for 11.
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Ollie Pope lasted just two deliveries before being trapped in front by the same bowler, and when Crawley departed for a breezy 42 to give Deep his third, England were in trouble at 57-3.
Jonny Bairstow joined county teammate Root and the crease and struck five boundaries in his 38 before being trapped lbw by Ravi Ashwin.
England lost a fifth wicket on the stroke of lunch as Stokes was powerless to keep out one that kept low from Ravi Jadeja, leaving the tourists in strife at 112-5.
But Root and Ben Foakes steadied the ship, batting conservatively throughout the afternoon session to restore a rare sense of calm to proceedings.
Foakes batted pragmatically in a crucial partnership of 113 with Root (Popperfoto via Getty Images)Foakes opened the traps with three boundaries in an over off Ashwin after tea, but then chipped Mohammed Siraj to Jadeja for 47.
Tom Hartley made 13 before Ollie Robinson joined Root at the crease, reaching a handy unbeaten 31 at stumps. Root finished on 106 not out, with England 302-7 going into day two.
It was Root's 10th century against India, the most by any opposition player from any country, and his 91st score of over 50 for England, going past his former skipper Sir Alastair Cook at the top of the tree.