Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow posted half-centuries as England reached 191/6 in their first innings at lunch on the third day of the second cricket Test against India here on Saturday.
Stokes was unbeaten on 55 at the break with Adil Rashid batting on one at the other end at the VDCA Cricket Stadium.
Stokes has hit eight boundaries off the 129 deliveries he has faced so far.
Bairstow also played a crucial role as the visitors went about their attempt to salvage the innings after losing quick wickets on Friday.
The right-hander scored 53 runs off 152 balls with five hits to the fence before fast bowler Umesh Yadav uprooted his middle stump almost on the stroke of lunch.
England suffered a minor scare before the start of the day's play when Bairstow appeared to hurt his ankle while attempting to warm-up.
The wicketkeeper-batsman had to receive medical attention before returning to the field.
The incident did not appear to have any impact on his form however.
Resuming at the overnight score of 103/5, Bairstow and Stoke survived the occassional scare to complete a 110-run partnership.
Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin caused plenty of trouble for the English duo on a pitch which does not have too much grass.
Stokes and Bairstow however, batted steadily to help the visitors reach a respectable total.
Yadav however, restored the morale within the Indian camp a couple of overs before lunch with a full length delivery that beat Bairstow with its pace and clipped the pads before sending the middle stump for a walk.
--IANS
ajb/vm
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