England follow-on as spinners derail visitors

Ahmedabad - A brilliant spell of spin bowling by Indian bowlers saw England follow?on after being dismissed for 191 in their first innings on day three of first Test at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, here Saturday.

England though fought back valiantly in their second and ended the day at 111 for none, but still 219 runs adrift of India’s first innings total of 521 for eight declared.

Captain Alistair Cook (batting 74) and Nick Compton (batting 34) put on an unbeaten 111?run stand as England finally managed to negotiate India’s two spinners.

Earlier, Pragyan Ojha picked five wickets to help India dismiss England for 191 in their first innings and enforce the follow?on for an early tea break.

Ojha (5/45) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3/80) exploited the conditions well to make life tough for the English batsmen, who struggled against the guile of the two spinners.

Ojha bowled Matt Prior (48) to end the innings and take his fourth five?wicket haul of his 16?match career.

The follow?on looked very much on the cards after England were reduced to 110 for seven at lunch.

Resuming the day on 41 for three, England lost Kevin Pietersen (17), Ian Bell (0) and captain Alistair Cook (41) in quick succession.

England failed to come to terms with India’s spin attack with Ashwin and Ojha both taking their wicket tally to three.

Except for Cook, no England batsman inspired confidence. They showed no faith in their defensive technique.

Pietersen was the first to go, castled by Ojha. He looked completely at sea against the Indian’s accurate bowling.

Bell was caught at mid?off off the very next ball. Cook, was foxed by a conventional off?spin delivery from Ashwin and was caught by Virender Sehwag at first slip.

Samit Patel (10) was the last English wicket to fall in the morning session. The all?rounder would count himself unlucky as he was adjudged lbw off a Umesh Yadav delivery that appeared to have missed the leg?stump.