Stokes inspires England to victory over India in 1st Test

BIRMINGHAM: England beat India by 31 runs to win the first Test at Edgbaston on Saturday and so take a 1-0 lead in a five-match series.

India, set 194 to win, were bowled out for 162 after resuming the fourth day on their overnight score of 110 for five.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes took two wickets in an over, including the prize scalp of India captain Virat Kohli for 53 before ending the match when he had Hardik Pandya (31) caught at first slip by Alastair Cook.

England’s 1,000th Test was a personal triumph for Sam Curran.

In just his second match at this level, the 20-year-old Surrey left-arm swing bowler took a Test-best four for 74 in India’s first innings 274.

And he followed that up with a dashing 63, his maiden Test fifty, to give England a target worth defending after they had collapsed to 87 for seven in their second innings.

The series continues with the second Test at Lord’s starting on Thursday.

By AFP Published: August 4, 2018, THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE