India wake up late

LONDON: India fought back with two wickets late in the final session to leave England 268 for four at stumps on the first day of the first Test at Lord’s here Thursday.

England, 247 for two when play resumed after a second bad light stoppage, lost two wickets for three runs in nine balls as they declined to 255 for four. Michael Vaughan, the England captain, was out for 79 when he edged left-arm quick Rudra Pratap Singh through to wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

All-rounder Paul Collingwood then went for nought, plumb lbw to leg-spinner Anil Kumble. It was his first Test duck in his 46th innings at this level.

India would have been better placed had not Andrew Strauss, who made 96, been dropped on 43. Together with Vaughan he put on 142 in 50 overs for the second wicket.

But the left-handed opener should have been out when Dinesh Karthik dropped a straightforward catch. Kevin Pietersen was 34 not out at the close with Ryan Sidebottom, the nightwatchman, unbeaten on nought.

India’s novice pace attack initially struggled after Vaughan won the toss and it was left to the experienced pair of Sourav Ganguly (one wicket for 24 runs in nine overs) and Kumble (two for 56 in 22) to dismiss left-handers Alastair Cook and Strauss.