England fight back in 1st Test as Ollie Pope's ton, Stokes' strikes revive hosts after India's dominance

England clawed their way back into the 1st Test after a horror Day 1 thanks to Ollie Pope's unbeaten hundred and a fiery spell from Ben Stokes. Despite India's dominance, England stuck to their attacking style to close Day 2 at 209/3, trailing by 262. read more
England's first day in this Test was nothing short of a nightmare. Whenever the opposition reaches the close 359/3, it's never great, but it's doubly galling when it was you who sent them into bat in the first place. However, after a thrilling Day Two at Headingley , the hosts now find themselves firmly back in the mix.
For much of the morning, things were looking even more bleak for England than they had the night before. Rishabh Pant was doing his full unorthodox batting wizard routine, flaying the ball to all parts of the ground, almost the only cheers coming from England supporters were to greet various sixes caught by people in the stands.
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And yet by the close of Day Two, they can comfortably claim to be right back in proceedings, even with the late blow of Joe Root's dismissal, being 209/3 – 262 runs behind – represents an impressive fightback.
Perhaps most pleasingly for England leadership, it was a comeback inspired by a key part of this side's ethos – sticking to their principles and keeping faith with the style of play that they believe in.
In another era, Shoaib Bashir's 24 wicketless overs for 93 runs might have seen him hidden from the firing line, particularly given the fondness that Pant had taken to him. However, England persisted, recognising that despite the attentions of India's wicket-keeper, Bashir was bowling well – ultimately, the wicket of Shubman Gill would be his reward.
From the point where perhaps the only people on the ground who believed England might ever take another wicket were the 11 playing for them on the pitch, the wicket of Gill marked a tentative first toe in the door on the way to recovery.
Stokes inspires thrilling comeback
That door was well and truly barged open in a thrilling 40 minutes before lunch, Ben Stokes perhaps inevitably at the heart of things as he took two wickets before lunch with Josh Tongue adding three of his own either side of the break.
Whether through English persistence or Indian complacency – the truth probably somewhere between the two points – the tourists had lost 7/41 in the hour either side of lunch.
If bowling on Day One had been an example of England's desire to not necessarily adhere to conventional cricketing wisdom blowing up in their faces, then Day Two provided something of a counterbalance.
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Bumrah strikes but England hold on
Under Headingley floodlights, Jasprit Bumrah was in electric form, Zak Crawley was removed inside the first over, and the next wicket surely not far away. England would have been forgiven for going into their shells and trying to ride out this onslaught.
However, that is not how this team plays; instead, they stuck to the positive, attacking 'brand' of cricket that the setup wants to play, meaning that despite Bumrah's penetrative opening spell, England were still going at almost 5.5 runs an over after the first 10 had been bowled.
England undoubtedly rode their luck, perhaps fortune really does favour the brave, perhaps India were slightly put on the back foot by the home side's perseverance in their own strategy, and took their eye off the ball somewhat.
Ollie Pope's century silences doubts
Arguably, the most crucial example of England's insistence on sticking to their guns came with Ollie Pope's superb unbeaten hundred. There has been some recent speculation about the security of his place in the team; however, England have always insisted that this is purely a construction of the media and the fans and that Pope is seen as a key part of this side.
Today, that faith in their number three paid off, a ninth Test hundred for Pope, the reward, England battling back in this fascinating match.
There is, of course, a long way to go in this game. England might continue to claw their way back into things, India may very well find the luck that deserted them on Day Two and snuff out any hopes of a revival. Perhaps the only thing that is certain is that whatever happens, England will do it in the style that they believe in.
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