HYDERABAD, India, Jan 25, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Indian spinners Ravichandran

Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined to dent England after a brisk start by
the tourists in the opening Test on Thursday.

England reached 108-3 at lunch after electing to bat first at the start of
the five-match series in Hyderabad.

Joe Root, on 18, and Jonny Bairstow, on 32, were batting at the break to
steady the innings after England lost three wickets for five runs in five
overs.

Zak Crawley, who made 20, and Ben Duckett, who hit 35, put on 55 runs and
attacked with regular boundaries as they put away loose balls by Jasprit
Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to showcase their much-talked-about "Bazball"
approach.

A highly aggressive style of play, "Bazball" is a strategy devised by England
coach Brendon McCullum, who goes by the nickname Baz, and skipper Ben Stokes.

England reached 41-0 in eight overs before spin was introduced and Jadeja
started with a maiden over, while Ashwin gave away just one from the other
end.

Duckett kept up the charge and smashed left-arm spinner Jadeja for two
successive boundaries, but fell lbw in the next over to Ashwin, who broke a
breezy opening stand.

Jadeja soon took down Ollie Pope, who edged the ball to first slip to be out
on one, bringing a raucous home crowd to its feet.

Crawley gifted Ashwin a second wicket when the tall opener hit the ball to
mid-off and Mohammed Siraj took a low catch, which the third-umpire checked
before giving it out.

Root and Bairstow, who hit five boundaries, stood firm in an unbeaten stand
of 48 to survive the rest of the session, which entertained a large crowd for
a weekday.

England have come into the game with three specialist spinners and Root, who
also bowls. Mark Wood is their only fast bowler.