Indians blown away by English pacers; stare at another measly score

London, Aug 15:

India were left struggling at 79 for seven in the first innings on the first day of the fifth and the final cricket Test against England at The Oval here Friday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was batting on 22 and Bhubaneswa Kkumar on four when reports last came in. Dhoni was the top scorer in the innings while Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane failed to open their account.

Put in, after a delayed start due to a heavy outfield, India found themselves at the receiving end of the fury of English pacers as half the side was back in the pavilion for 36 runs in the 19th over.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was batting on six and giving him company was Stuart Binny on four when lunch was called.

It was a torrid session for the Indian batsmen as they were done in by swing the England bowlers got under overcast conditions.

James Anderson removed Gautam Gambhir in the first over of the day for a duck. Gambhir decided against playing the delivery at the last moment but the ball kissed the hanging, open face and sailed through to wicket-keeper Jos Butler.

Broad, who appeared in no discomfort playing with a broken nose, struck in the next over to get rid of Cheteshwar Pujara (4) as the ball sneaked through the gap between bat and pad and clipped the top flap of his pad and kissed his arm before rattling the timber.

Chris Jordan struck in his successive overs to remove Virat Kohli (6) and Ajinkya Rahane to leave India at 28 for four.

Murali Vijay finally ran out of patience in the 19th over and fell to Chris Woakes after Joe Root took a good juggling catch at gully.

Two more wickets fell after lunch as Stuart Binny fell for a 30-ball five and Ashwin perished after a brief stay for 13.

(IANS)