IND vs ENG: India struggle as ton-up Chris Woakes powers England

England's Chris Woakes plays a cut shot against India on Day Three of the second Test at Lordu00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0099s on Saturday. Pic/Bipin Patel

Chris Woakes hit his maiden Test century to put England in total control during the second Test at Lord's on Saturday. England briefly struggled on 89 for four after losing cheap wickets in batting-friendly conditions on Day Three, but Woakes, batting on 120, and Jonny Bairstow (93) fought back to put on an 189-run sixth-wicket stand to put the hosts on the front foot.

England were 357 for six in reply to India's first innings 107, a lead of 250 runs when bad light forced an early close. Woakes earned his reward for digging in deep with the wicketkeeper to record his first hundred for England in the five-day format. England hopes of building an imposing advantage after skittling the tourists out for 107 on Day Two looked bleak after losing openers Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings in successive overs to leave them on 32 for two.

Ollie Pope came to the crease alongside captain Joe Root and the debutant showed few nerves during a promising start, but he was trapped in front by Hardik Pandya on 28, despite reviewing the decision.

Root (19) fell lbw to Mohammed Shami on the final ball before lunch and the India seamer struck once more to dismiss Jos Buttler for 24 to leave England on 131 for five. That briefly put India back in contention, before Bairstow and Woakes combined to frustrate the tourists.

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