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India v England: 'Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler can help push tourists to 350'

England got balance right on turning Mumbai pitch, says Athers

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Michael Atherton has praised Keaton Jennings after the 24-year-old scored 112 on his Test debut in Mumbai

Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler's battling final-session partnership has put England in sight of a competitive first-innings score against India, says Michael Atherton.

Stokes (25no off 84 balls) and Buttler (18no off 34) shared an unbroken stand of 39 in 13.4 overs as the tourists closed on 288-5 on day one of their must-win fourth Test in Mumbai.

Alastair Cook's men slipped from 230-2 to 249-5 - Keaton Jennings (112) one of the men to fall after becoming the 19th Englishman to score a century in his first Test.

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England debutant Keaton Jennings has spoken about a whirlwind few days which started with him being flown from the Lions tour in Dubai

But Atherton feels Stokes and Buttler's salvo - the two fending off India's spin attack if not always with ease - has put the visitors in line for a tally of 350.

"It was an important 45 minutes with Buttler battling for his life and Stokes, too," Atherton told Sky Sports.

"Two players who are not defensively oriented and who can be very dangerous tomorrow morning if they get in.

If England get to 350 they are right in the game - the question then is on the balance of the side.
Michael Atherton

"In the end, it's not how long it takes England to get to 350, it's that they do get there and if they do they are right in the game - the question then is on the balance of the side.

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"They have slightly chased their tail and picked the extra seamer [Jake Ball replacing Gareth Batty] on a pitch that I think will spin more than any of the first three matches.

"But if it goes through the top for the spinners it could do the same for the seamers."

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Moeen Ali (50) and Jonny Bairstow (14) were caught on the sweep off the bowling off Ravichandran Ashwin (4-75), but Atherton saw no issues in the tourists' tempo on a pitch he is certain will provide a result.

"For the most part England got the balance right," said the Sky Sports pundit.

"The message from captain and coach was to be proactive but if you are going to do that you are going to make the odd mistake, especially on a pitch offering turn and bounce.

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The pick of the action from the first day of the fourth Test between India and England in Mumbai

"It is offering something for the bowlers - I definitely think it is a result pitch as it is only going to be more difficult to bat on from here on in.

"England dominated two sessions but India came back strong - that's cricket in the subcontinent.

"You go through long periods where not much happens and you can develop partnerships as Jennings and Alastair Cook and Jennings and Moeen did, but then you get two wickets in three balls."

Watch day two of the fourth Test between India and England, in Mumbai, from 3.45am on Friday, Sky Sports 2.

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