Double Swann strike puts England in charge
England's first Test against India remains close to call
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Century hero Andrew Strauss has admitted the rest of the England batting order will have to work hard when the first Test resumes in Chennai tomorrow. |  |
Friday, 12, Dec 2008 10:19
Two wickets from Graeme Swann in his first over in Test cricket helped reduce India to 155-6 on the second day of the Chennai Test.
India trail England's 316 by 161 runs and will be disappointed after bowling the tourists out for what was perceived to be a below-par total.
From their overnight 229-5 England's tail failed to wag after Andrew Flintoff (18) was dismissed without scoring this morning.
The tail offered little resistance with the exception of recalled Matt Prior, who got his renewed England career off to a positive start with an unbeaten 53 not out. His cautious innings included just one boundary.
In reply India struggled after Virender Sehwag was the first to go. He was bowled by James Anderson in the sixth over.
Then Swann, bowling his first over of Test cricket, took two wickets before tea.
After being hit for four off the first ball of his over he had a confident appeal turned down against Gautam Gambhir with his second.
His third saw Gambhir trapped lbw and, to the home side's discomfort, Rahul Dravid was also deceived in the same manner off the final ball to leave England exiting the field on a high.
After the interval Sachin Tendulkar (37) and VVS Laxman (24) consolidated with a 61-run stand.
But two caught-and-bowled wickets by Monty Panesar and Andrew Flintoff in consecutive overs turned the momentum back over to England.
And Steve Harmison prompting an edge behind by Yuvraj Singh (14) to Flintoff in the penultimate over of the day put the icing on a good day for England – and a special one for Swann.