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England somehow took six India wickets on a bizarre opening day of the decisive Test that was marred by a shoulder injury to Chris Woakes.<\/b><\/p>\n
Woakes was hurt chasing the ball to the boundary late in the day at The Oval and went from the field with his left arm in a makeshift sling, a further injury to a depleted England pace-bowling attack.<\/p>\n
It is an injury that could have serious ramifications for the outcome of the series. England, needing to avoid defeat to secure a 2-1 win, could be left with three seamers and the spin of Jacob Bethell and Joe Root.<\/p>\n
In the 64 overs that were possible either side of two chunky rain delays, England reduced the tourists to 204-6.<\/p>\n
The scoreline does not tell the full story of England’s bowling, which veered from sublime to ridiculous after they won the toss for the fifth time in the series.<\/p>\n
The home side’s effort was typified by Josh Tongue, who at times struggled to keep the ball on the cut strip and also bowled two near-unplayable deliveries to have both Sai Sudharsan and Ravindra Jadeja caught behind.<\/p>\n
The curious cricket did not end there. India captain Shubman Gill, in such prolific form this series, ran himself out trying to take a ludicrous single. Bowler Gus Atkinson picked up the ball in his follow-through and his direct hit left the turning Gill short of his ground.<\/p>\n
That was part of a good day for Atkinson, comfortably England’s best bowler in his first senior game in more than two months after a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
From 153-6, India hung in through the determination of Karun Nair, who ended the day 52 not out.<\/p>\n
It left honours just about even, though England will surely now have to find a way to get through without Woakes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n