LONDON: Ajinkya Rahane scored a well-compiled century to help rescue India’s first innings on the opening day of the second test against England at Lord’s on Thursday.

England had reduced the visitors to 145 for seven on a bowler-friendly pitch early in the final session, but Rahane’s 103, along with support from number nine Bhuvneshwar Kumar (36), ensured India had rallied to 290 for nine at the close.

Having won the toss and elected to bowl, the hosts initially struggled to find their rhythm on a green-looking surface, taking only two wickets before lunch.

However, a four-wicket burst in the middle session followed by another dismissal shortly after tea put England in control before Rahane’s late assault. Rahane’s knock, which included 15 fours and a six, was ended by a sharp caught and bowled effort by Anderson late in the day.

Tail-enders Ishant Sharma (12) and Mohammed Shami (14) safely navigated the closing overs to ensure England will have to come out and bowl on Friday morning.

The Lord’s surface was in marked contrast to the one used in Nottingham, which came in for fierce criticism for its placid nature as the first match of the five-test series petered out to a tame draw.

After being presented with a pitch to their liking, England initially failed to grasp the opportunity to make significant inroads into the Indian line-up, with openers Shikhar Dhawan (7) and Murali Vijay (24) the only wickets to fall before lunch.

However, four more dismissals in the middle session put the hosts in the driving seat.

James Anderson had the dangerous Virat Kohli caught by Matt Prior for 25, the wicketkeeper looking slightly sheepish after dropping two catches before lunch, while Ben Stokes knocked back Cheteshwar Pujara’s middle stump after an obdurate 28 from 117 balls.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who raised England’s ire by reporting Anderson for an incident involving Ravindra Jadeja at Trent Bridge, received a frosty reception from the Lord’s crowd and much to their delight, lasted only 17 balls before being caught by Prior off Stuart Broad for one.

Jadeja, also unpopular with the home fans, was trapped lbw by Moeen Ali for three, leaving India in disarray at 128 for six before the tea interval.

Stuart Binny (9) was also out leg before, although had the decision review system been in use the decision may have been overturned as Anderson’s delivery appeared to be going over the wickets.

However, Rahane, in his seventh test, took advantage of England’s tiring bowling attack and brought up his second test century with a stab through to the offside boundary off Anderson.

He put on 90 with Kumar before the latter, who passed 50 in both innings at Trent Bridge, was bowled by Broad soon after the new ball was taken.

Hearing

An initial hearing into an incident involving England quick bowler James Anderson and India’s Ravindra Jadeja during last week’s drawn first test in Nottingham will be held on Tuesday, the International Cricket Council has announced.

Anderson is said to have “abused and pushed” the Indian spinner during the match at Trent Bridge and has been charged with a level three misconduct offense, which could see him banned for up to four test matches.

Jadeja has been charged with a level two offense after being accused of approaching Anderson in a threatening manner, which could see him lose his entire match fee or be banned for one test.

Gordon Lewis, Australia’s representative on the ICC’s Code of Conduct Commission, will act as the commissioner.

A preliminary hearing will be held by telephone on July 22, the day after the ongoing second Test at Lord’s is scheduled to end, before a date for a full hearing is set.

SCOREBOARD

India (first Innings):

M. Vijay c Ballance b Plunkett 24

S. Dhawan c Ballance b Anderson 7

C. Pujara b Stokes 28

V. Kohli c Prior b Anderson 25

A. Rahane c and b Anderson 103

M. S. Dhoni c Prior b Broad 1

R. Jadeja lbw Ali 3

S. Binny lbw Anderson 9

B. Kumar b Broad 36

M. Shami not out 14

I. Sharma not out 12

Extras: 28

Total: (9 wkts) 290

Fall of wkts: 1-11, 2-48, 3-86, 4-113, 5-123, 6-128, 7-145, 8-235, 9-275.

Bowling: Anderson 22-7-55-4; Broad 22-5-79-2; Plunkett 15-5-51-1 (1nb); Stokes 17-5-40-1; Ali 14-2-38-1.