Moeen Ali was unbeaten on 120 at the end of the day’s play as England took the initiative on day one of the fifth Test against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

Having elected to bat first after winning the toss yet again, the visitors did not get off to the best of starts. Fast bowler Ishant Sharma, returning to the side after being sidelined due to injury and his marriage, struck early to remove Keaton Jennings for just one.

English captain Alastair Cook became the tenth batsman in the history of the game to reach 11000 Test runs, but he was dismissed for 10 as England seemed to be in a bit of bother at 21/2.

That was when Moeen Ali joined Joe Root in the middle and the duo went on to add 146 runs for the fourth wicket, before the latter was caught behind for 88. Interestingly, Root has had a 50+ innings score in each of the 11 Tests he has played against India.

Root’s dismissal did not distract Ali as the left-handed batsman went on to register his second century of the series. He found able support in the form of Jonny Bairstow, who scored 49.

At the end of the day, England were 284/4 with Ali unbeaten on 120 and Ben Stokes batting on 5.

Ravindra Jadeja was India’s most successful bowler, picking up three wickets.

BRIEF SCORES

England 284/4 [Ali 120*, Root 88, Jadeja 3/73] vs India.