Twitter Reactions: Sam Curran propels England to 246 despite a top-order wobble
India finished the day on 19/0.
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The fourth Test between England and India got underway in Southampton today as both the teams square off after a significant break. The sun was shining and a featherbed of a pitch welcomed the captains as Joe Root was delighted to bat first after winning the toss. But India’s new ball bowlers made it count and didn’t give an inch to any of the top-order batsmen.
Jasprit Bumrah was the bowler to draw first blood as he surprised Keaton Jennings with an incoming delivery and caught him plumb in front of the stumps. Root also was sent back straight away by Ishant Sharma. England’s skipper was lucky early on to be reprieved by Bumrah by bowling a no-ball but he failed to latch on to the chance. Jonny Bairstow, the pure batsman, failed as well to leave his team reeling at 28/3 as the visitors owned the first hour.
Meanwhile, Alastair Cook was looking confident and had seen Ishant’s first spell through successfully who has been his nemesis over the years. But the left-hander flirted at a harmless delivery off Hardik Pandya and edged it to Virat Kohli at the third slip who took a stunning catch. Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes batted cautiously but were dismissed in the post-lunch session as England were reduced to 86/6.
Curran and Moeen resurrect
The ball had stopped moving by now which helped Sam Curran and Moeen Ali, the two new inclusions for this game, to a great extent. They got their eyes in and stitched a decent partnership. The bad deliveries were put away nicely especially by Curran. Ali struggled early on but he too got going after some time. Both added 81 runs for the seventh wicket and the Indian camp looked worried.
However, Ravi Ashwin got his man, Ali, as the left-hander tried to sweep the bowler and edged it only for Bumrah to run in and take a good catch. Curran started to play his shots then even as Stuart Broad lent good support to him. They added 63 runs together which might turn out to be valuable in the context of the game. Meanwhile, Curran reached his second fifty with a stylish six off Ashwin and continued having a gala time in the middle.
Bumrah ended a frustrating stand by pinning Broad in front and Ashwin soon castled the dangerous-looking Curran who was eyeing his century. Nevertheless, it was a high-class effort from the youngster as England posted a competitive total of 246 runs on the board.
India openers see off a tricky period
The Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul had to see off a tricky 18-minute period before the stumps. James Anderson and Stuart Broad though failed to make the batsman play for the major part of the four overs as India ended the day on 19/0. They would be looking to bat big in their first innings now as the conditions look perfect in Southampton.
Here’s how Twitter reacted during the innings:
Yes please, @CurranSM!
Quality youngster! You show them, boytjie!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) August 30, 2018
Another delightful bowling performance by our pacers! They have continuously hit the right lengths and extracted the most out of this pitch. #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/HdC4BPU5qi
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 30, 2018
India’s day. 60:40. Pitch at Southampton is indeed a good one to bat. It was on display when Mooen and Curran batted. It’ll take an inspired spell or two from England or harakiri from 🇮🇳 on the morrow to even this contest. #EngvInd
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 30, 2018
Well played Sam Curran…..breath of fresh air !!
IPL ???— Ian Botham (@BeefyBotham) August 30, 2018
Welldone boys top bowling performance @ImIshant @Jaspritbumrah93 @MdShami11 @hardikpandya7 @ashwinravi99 👏👏👏👏🇮🇳💯😊 #EngvInd #testcricket @BCCI
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) August 30, 2018
A 20 yr old is giving England a sniff of more than decent score on this pitch … #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 30, 2018
Indian cricket team has done it yet again. Unearthed an improbable batting genius in @CurranSM #ENGvIND
— Kumar Ravi (@kumarraviii) August 30, 2018
Youngsters should be given opportunities with the intent of making them regulars under the condition that they get a good start, Curran was brilliant in his debut, terrible message from the ECB selectors towards the youngster #ENGvIND #SSCricket
— Henry Dube (@HenryDube72) August 30, 2018
@CurranSM showing exactly why he shouldn’t have been dropped well played mate- skittle em tomorrow now🏏 #ENGvIND #Selection
— Sam Brooks (@Brooks280997) August 30, 2018
Indian fast bowlers did extremely well – and Ashwin breaking the partnership was key in getting momentum back . I think Sam Curran has earned his right to bat at 4 down . Hope India scores 400-500 in reply . Solid start already #ENGvIND
— Vijay Vijayasankar (@vijayasankarv) August 30, 2018
When u wish and take India's 191/8 from 92/7 in 1st test against SA this yr you need to take currans and alis innings, though they may be 6 and 7 down they are genuine allrounder #ENGvIND !! That's broad innings than over broad
— DeCafrio (@unfilterkaapi) August 30, 2018
India should seriously be concerned about wagging tails and debut centuries against them, more than anything, in test cricket. #ENGvIND @bhogleharsha
— Charchit Joshi🇮🇳 (@CharchitJoshi) August 30, 2018
A great day for the Curran brothers
Sam scores 78 for England,
Tom takes a 5fer for @surreycricket#ENGvIND #County— Shanujan (@J_Shanujan) August 30, 2018
How can Jennings be defended again! He’s on borrowed time. #TheDebate #ENGvIND
— Alex Holbrey (@Holbers) August 30, 2018
A complete day for India, thanks to Bumrah, Ash and Ishu. Could have been a much better than this but this Curran boy.! *sigh* #ENGvIND
— βαтsү🏏 (@itsalokj) August 30, 2018
Despite the late fight back from England, India will be extremely pleased at the end of day 1. Massive day tomorrow for both sides #ENGvIND
— Brett Graham (@worldofBG) August 30, 2018
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