Anderson and Robinson drag England back into the game as rain disrupts play on day two and three

Ollie Robinson’s first test match five-for dragged England back into contention on day three, after Jimmy Anderson produced a dangerous spell of swing bowling prior to becoming the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

Following a dismal batting display that saw England skittled for just 183, Joe Root turned to Anderson in a bid to break through India’s stellar middle-order of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. The 38-year-old Lancastrian did just that.

Although it would be Robinson who first made inroads into the batting lineup as Rohit Sharma (36) played an uncontrolled pull shot into the hands of Sam Curran at deep-backwards-square.

Sharma and KL Rahul (84) had successfully navigated a morning of potential difficulty by leaving confidently outside off stump and playing strongly on the drive.

The former’s soft dismissal would see India collapse and lose four wickets for just 15 runs. Pujara fell for just four with Anderson producing a sumptuous in-swinging delivery that nipped away from off-stump to find the edge, with Jos Buttler taking a smart catch.

It would soon be two wickets in two balls for Anderson by removing Kohli for a golden duck. However, with a lack of movement in comparison to the previous delivery, the Indian skipper may regret not leaving the ball as opposed to fending outside off which led to another nick through to Buttler.

Whilst Rahul would move to his first Test 50 in three years, his side would soon be five down after Rahane (5) pushed for an ambitious single that was never on. Jonny Bairstow sent the bails flying with a direct hit to leave India at 112-4.

Rahul should have been out too but was handed a lifeline by Dom Sibley as the Warwickshire batsman attempted to take a diving catch low to his left.

Rishabh Pant (25) and Rahul remained at the crease overnight as rain prevented England from building on their run of wickets.

Yet the wicketkeeper-batsman would only last 12 more balls before he was caught at short-extra-cover off the bowling of Robinson.

Ravi Jadeja (56) and Rahul would combine for a partnership worth 50 though the latter was dropped again on 78. This time, Root was the culprit after the England captain put down a chance at first-slip.

Fortunately for Root, it would prove to be third time lucky for the hosts. Anderson got the better of Anil Kumble to become the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket as Rahul feathered through to Buttler when attempting to drive through the covers.

Jadeja went into a white-ball mode when he came in and the all-rounder even managed to smack Anderson all the way over fine-leg for six, before reaching his half-century.

Robinson would then claim the wickets of Jadeja, Shardul Thakur (0) and Mohammed Shami (13) as England looked to wrap up the tourists’ innings. Albeit the tail would wag with Jaspirit Bumrah (28) posting his first Test score over 10 before he became Robinson’s fifth scalp with India all out for 278 and leading by 95.

The Sussex seamer’s final figures of 5-85 are strikingly better than Stuart Broad’s 0-70 as England continue to search for long-term heirs to Broad and Anderson. They may have just uncovered one with Robinson taking 12 already in his short international career.

Sibley and Rory Burns managed to survive until day four in what will come as a massive relief to Root and coach Chris Silverwood considering their recent top-order struggles.

Rain saw play abandoned at 25-0 with India leading by 70.

As we head into day four, the game is delicately poised. England will know that they cannot afford to be cheaply bowled out again, whereas Kohli will believe that his attack can lead their side to victory.

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