Butler takes England to 385/8 (Lunch report)

A resilient Jos Buttler guided England to 385/8 at lunch against India in their first innings on the second day of the fourth cricket Test match here on Thursday.

Resuming at their overnight score of 288/5, Jos Buttler struck a crucial half century to pull England towards a decent first innings score. He was unbeaten on 64, accompanied by Jake Ball (29 batting) at lunch.

India's premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (5-102) picked up his 23rd five-wicket haul in Tests, dismissing Ben Stokes (31) who was caught by Virat Kohli.

India picked up three wickets in the first session of the day, shared by spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, who picked one and Ravindra Jadeja (3-105), who got the other two.

England added 97 runs in 31 overs in the opening session of play, losing three wickets.

Ashwin provided India with the day's first breakthrough early, edging Ashwin to Kohli to slip.

The ball clipped keeper Parthiv Patel's pads before landing to Kohli, who quickly asked for a review. The third umpire judged it in India's favour.

Chris Woakes prodded his way to 11 runs, before getting undone by a sharp turning delivery that kissed his bat and was sharply caught by Patel.

Adil Rashid also went soon after, leaving a straight Jadeja delivery to be bowled.

England were reduced to 334/8 and were staring of being bowled out under 350.

But Buttler-Ball then began the resurrection work, putting on undefeated 51-run stand for the ninth wicket.

--IANS

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