Manchester: Rain played spoilsport as only nine overs could be bowled in the second session with England reaching 237 for six at tea on the rain-hit day two of the fourth cricket Test against India, here today.
Joe Root (48) and Jos Buttler (22) have added 67 runs in their resolute seventh-wicket stand as the hosts have a 85-run lead in hand. The two England batsmen had added 36 runs in the post-lunch session when skies opened up and lashed the Old Trafford. The outfield was rendered completely wet and big
puddles formed at various spots on the square as well as the boundary ropes. No play was possible and the remaining session was washed out.
This was after Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3-47) picked up two quick wickets in the morning session to peg back their first innings and restrict the hosts to 201 for six at lunch. Varun Aaron (3-48) also added another to the two wickets he picked up last evening.
The second morning began with grey clouds still looming large over the ground, but they seemed lighter than the ones on day one that had helped English bowlers wreak havoc on the Indian top-order. The Indian bowlers needed to make use of whatever conditions were available to them though, and take as many
quick wickets as possible. That plan seemed a bit flustered at the start as 21 runs came off the first four overs itself, with Ian Bell (58) and Chris Jordan (13) setting a hectic pace.
Bell, starting at his overnight score of 45, reached his half-century in the second over of the day off 63 balls. Soon after, Kumar got rid of Jordan, the batsman caught by Varun Aaron at midwicket off a short ball. Two overs later, India had their man when Kumar set up Bell with two beautiful
outswingers, the second getting a faint edge as the batsman played at it.
