Related Links: India Tour of England 2014 | England vs India, 3rd Test at Southampton – Scorecard
England had a tremendous start to the 3rd Investec Test at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton with a first day score of 247 for 2. Alastair Cook finally found some form to score 95 having faced 231 balls while hitting 9 fours. Cook who had decided to bat first after winning the toss added 148 runs for the 2nd wicket with centurion Gary Ballance.
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Above pic: Alastair Cook and Gary Ballance putting on a big partnership in the 3rd Test at Southampton.
Alastair Cook missed his hundred narrowly when he inside edged a pull off Ravindra Jadeja to MS Dhoni down the legside. Gary Ballance on the other hand carried on till stumps to remain unbeaten on 104 from 204 balls with 15 fours. It was a 3rd Test century for Gary Ballance. Giving him company is Ian Bell who is on 16.
The only other wicket that England lost was opener Sam Robson caught at third slip by Ravindra Jadeja off Mohammed Shami. Sam Robson scored 26 in an opening stand of 55.
The pitch at The Ageas Bowl looked nice with a green grass cover. The Indian bowlers did get the ball to swing around but didn’t get much sideways movement. The pitch looks to have nice even pace with the ball coming on to the bat. Overall it looks like a flat batting track.
Team News of England vs India, 3rd Investec Test at The Rose Bowl, Southampton
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Above pic: Pankaj Singh in his Debut Test at Southampton appeals for an lbw against Ian Bell.
England went into this 3rd Investec Test making three changes. Jos Buttler who was making his Test Debut replaced Matt Prior while Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan came in for Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett.
For India, Pankaj Singh made his Test debut replacing Ishant Sharma who was out of action with an ankle injury. Also Rohit Sharma was brought in to replace Stuart Binny. Pankaj Singh bowled his heart out but was extremely unlucky not to take his maiden Test wicket on two occasions – first when Alastair Cook (then on 15) was dropped by Ravindra Jadeja at third slip and later on Ian Bell who was very lucky to escape from an lbw.