England vs India as it happened: Alastair Cook falls at the last after Virat Kohli's brilliant century

England cricket players on Adil Rashid's selection

Virat Kohli's masterclass century defied England and dragged India back into the contest on a gripping second day of the first Specsavers Test at Edgbaston.

Sam Curran (four for 74) made a sterling home bid for the headlines, with three wickets in eight balls during a titanic first hour of the afternoon - and England were well-served too by Ben Stokes and James Anderson.

But Kohli (149) was an unstoppable force - after two dropped chances - as he banished memories of his miserable maiden Test tour to this country four years ago - when he averaged 13.4, with a top-score of 39 - as he compiled his 22nd Test century in an India total of 274 which contained no other innings above 26.

Kohli's one-man show meant a home lead of only 13 after the tourists' last two wickets added 92 - and when Alastair Cook was bowled for the second day in succession by a Ravi Ashwin off-break, for a duck this time, England reached stumps nine for one second time round.

---

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

Key Points

• England all out for 287 before Sam Curran skittles top order
• Virat Kohli leads India fightback with brilliant 149
• Alastair Cook falls on last ball of the day as England lead by 22 runs

[2 August 2018 10:57 · Ben Burrows]

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the first Test from Edgbaston.

Joe Root's side take on the world's best, Virat Kohli's No 1 ranked team, in the most-anticipated Test series of the year.

For Kohli's men it's the chance to cement their place as one of the great teams of the last decade after dominating the long form of the game for the last three years.

Will that big away win finally come to fruition over the next six weeks?

[2 August 2018 11:01 · Ben Burrows]

It's a warm and sunny morning in Birmingham on what looks like a perfect day for batting.

Sadly for England they will in all likelihood not be doing much of that after a late collapse on day one cost them following Joe Root's run out.

They return this morning at 285-9 with Sam Curran  and James Anderson at the crease.

How many can they limp to?

[2 August 2018 11:06 · Ben Burrows]

Ravi Ashwin starts the day then, continuing from 4-60 yesterday and a spell that completely wrested the game in India’s direction. 

Anderson and Curran stuck it out at the end of the day to frustrate the tourists and will look to continue that for as long as is humanly possible this morning….

…and it’s not long. Anderson narrowly survives the first over of the day but Mohammed Shami comes on and tidies up the tail in no time.

England all out for 287.

[2 August 2018 11:15 · Ben Burrows]

Well that wasn't part of the plan.

England will have hoped to have kept India out there for as long as possible this morning. Instead they have barely broken sweat.

Fresh from digging in last night it's time for Anderson to do what he does best.

He and Stuart Broad will be crucial here. If England are to get the best of Kohli this summer you feel it'll have to be via those two and the new pill.

Can they prise the openers out early and get their teeth into that softish middle order?

Let's see. It'll be Anderson first up with Murali Vijay on strike.

[2 August 2018 11:18 · Ben Burrows]

Jonathan Liew at Edgbaston:

Big bonus for India, who will have bleak memories of James Anderson scoring 81 against them at Trent Bridge four years ago, putting on almost 200 for the last wicket. For England, you could say that at least it keeps Anderson fresh for bowling. It's a crucial new ball; Shikhar Dhawan's out of form, the Duke was swinging plenty yesterday, and if Anderson and Broad can get Kohli in and out early, it'll change the whole complexion of the game. But if India can see them off, it'll be Stokes, Curran and Rashid (combined Test average 36.1) against probably the best batting line-up in the world. As ever, it's a crucial first session.

[2 August 2018 11:23 · Ben Burrows]

England need to get the new ball moving as soon as possible.

Or they need a slice of luck.

They nearly have the latter straight away as Dhawan tries to sneak the sneakiest of quick singles. Stokes pounces but his shy is wide of the mark and Vijay is in the clear. He would've been way, way short.

Close. 

[2 August 2018 11:32 · Ben Burrows]

Anderson is feeling it. He has that look in his eye and is buoyed by the new ball doing a bit straight out of the box.

Vijay played and only just missed one in Broad's last over and now Anderson crashes one into his pads.

He doesn't look that convinced but Root goes upstairs all the same...

It's leggy. It's the inswinger from Jimmy and while it hit him halfway up it's always going down.

Ump's decision stands and England are down a review. Not ideal with what looks like plenty of bowling to do today.

[2 August 2018 11:40 · Ed Malyon]

Ed Malyon writes:

This summer's weather had sparked fears of England's home advantage being somewhat diminished but there was lateral movement yesterday and there's - at the very least - some shape this morning. India don't look settled yet, there have been a couple of near misses and England must keep that pressure on.

[2 August 2018 11:42 · Ben Burrows]

Broad has another look and - for a change - wants a review himself but this time Root wisely says no after Dhawan this time is rapped on his pads.

The ball is definitely moving a little and is encouraging both of England's opening pair.

That said, the ball did a bit first up yesterday before settling down. 

Kumar Sangakkara mentioned yesterday the importance Sri Lanka place on pushing Anderson and Broad into their second and third spells.

You feel that England must make hay now. 

[2 August 2018 11:51 · Ben Burrows]

How's stat?