England vs India: Haseeb Hameed hits sublime half-century as visitors reach the close on an impressive 114-0
Lancashire youngster and Alastair Cook take England's lead to 163 with ten wickets in hand after faultless final session
HASEEB HAMEED scored his maiden Test half-century on his debut and helped Alastair Cook in an impressive opening stand.
It will surely be the first of many big innings by the 19-year-old Lancastrian.
Hameed finished day four of the First Test with 62 not out and has so far put on 114 unbroken runs with Cook.
It means England have extended their overall lead to 163 runs.
The match is likely to finish in a draw unless India unexpectedly collapse on the final day.
For only the sixth teenager ever to play Test cricket for England, Hameed displayed remarkable calmness and concentration.
And his parents – who hail from this state of Gujurat in India - brother and two sisters were in the crowd to see it.
Hameed is an opening batsman from the old school with precise footwork, lovely balance, pure technique and plenty of patience. He also leaves the ball well outside his off stump.
Especially at the start of their partnership, Hameed was playing like the 136-Test veteran and Cook like the novice.
Hameed is Cook’s 12th partner since 2012 and England hope this duo will finally will establish a permanent liaison at the top of the order.
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Hameed struck only the second six of his first-class career when he hoisted left-arm spinner Ravi Jadeja straight down the ground.
He also registered a five courtesy of a deflection off the stumps that flew for four overthrows.
Earlier, England finally bowled out India for 488 on day four of the First Test after 162 overs of hard toil.
It gave England a lead of 49 runs and Cook and Hameed soon added to that.
England took two big wickets i the opening hour - including Indian superstar Virat Kohli in freakish circumstances.
Kohli was out hit wicket for 40 to Rashid.
He pulled a short ball to mid-wicket but, as he completed the shot, his left leg dislodged a bail and England's fielders were left celebrating.
Kohli’s departure followed the dismissal of Ajinkya Rahane, who misjudged the length of a ball from Zafar Ansari and was bowled via his pad.
Ravi Ashwin, better known as the No1 ranked Test bowler in the world, displayed his prowess with the bat in a seventh-wicket stand with Wriddhiman Saha.
The pair put on 64 and Ashwin went on to compile a useful half-century.
Saha was caught behind, Jadeja snaffled at short leg and Umesh Yadav caught at slip attempting a huge slog.
Ashwin was last out for 70 – caught on the boundary as he attempted to manipulate the strike.