Summary

Media caption,

'Absolute madness!' - Gill run out trying to force quick single

  1. Goodbye!published at 20:00 British Summer Time 31 July

    That's all from us.

    India are 204-6 at the end of day one, with Karun Nair (52) and Washington Sundar (19) frustrating England with a 51-run seventh wicket partnership. You can read Stephan Shemilt's report from The Oval here.

    Thank you for sticking with us through the rain and for your weather updates from around the globe and cricketer sightings in supermarkets.

    We'll be back at 10:30 BST on Friday for day two. Goodbye!

  2. Postpublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 31 July

    India have indeed given themselves a sniff and a large part of that is down to Karun Nair, who is unbeaten on 52 (98).

    England will be keen to see the back of him early on day two.

    Media caption,

    Nair reaches fifty in 'testing conditions' to help India steady ship

  3. Postpublished at 19:56 British Summer Time 31 July

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    India have found a way to stay in the game. They've kept in there and given themselves a little sniff.

  4. Postpublished at 19:54 British Summer Time 31 July

    More from Gus Atkinson, asked about the pressure Woakes' injury could put on the bowling attack: "Hopefully the batters can nestle in and give us time off so we can get refreshed and be ready to fire in the second innings."

    On his run-out of Shubman Gill: "It was great. I was surprised when he kept coming and I got the ball and was like 'I need to hit here'. It was pleasing to get him out like that."

    On his own summer and injury issues: "It has been frustrating, very stop and start. I got back from the Champions Trophy and had a few weeks off, played a few county games and then the Test against Zimbabwe in which I unfortunately got injured. I haven't played much cricket so it was pleasing I was available to play in this last Test. I feel good now so it is great. I felt fresh. It is a shame to only play one Test but it feels good."

    And on the Oval pitch: "People come here and they see the pitch and it is green and expect low scores but if you don't bowl and put it in the right areas you can go for runs and score quite easily as batters. It is a good cricket wicket. If you bowl well you get rewards and bat well get rewards. It might get a bit harder over the next few days and there might be a few divots."

  5. Postpublished at 19:52 British Summer Time 31 July

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    If you look at Gus Atkinson, he's got such an efficient action. You kind of watch his run up and there's not a lot that can go wrong with it. Whereas, you look at Josh Tongue and there's a lot of arms and legs and movements.

    They're bigger and sometimes it's a little bit harder to find your rhythm when you're a taller bowler but Gus Atkinson has that efficient movement. It's also his home ground, so he'll be comfortable playing here at The Oval.

    I think out of all the bowlers, Chris Woakes included, Atkinson found the length.

    If England are honest in that dressing room, they'll be thinking if two of us bowled like Gus Atkinson then we'd have bowled them out.

  6. Postpublished at 19:50 British Summer Time 31 July

    England bowler Gus Atkinson speaking to the BBC: "It was a good day. There was pressure on for the bowling side with the conditions that were overhead. We didn't want to get too far ahead of ourselves. 200-6, we are happy with that. An early wicket tomorrow and we will be in good position."

    On whether they could have bowled better: "Tough to say. We had a lot of play and misses. I think we bowled well. It is a hard pitch to get it hitting the stumps. Being hypercritical maybe we could have hit the stumps a bit more.

    On his own comeback: "I was pleased. It has been two or so months since I last played for England. I was happy with how I bowled. I know the conditions and the pitch. I am very happy how it went."

    On Chris Woakes' shoulder injury: "It doesn't look great. We haven't really spoken about it yet. I will be surprised if he takes any part in the game."

    Media caption,

    Atkinson would be 'surprised' if Woakes returns to fifth Test

  7. Postpublished at 19:48 British Summer Time 31 July

    However, arguably Gus Atkinson's biggest contribution came in the 28th over when he ran out Shubman Gill.

    I've seen this clip many, many times now and I still don't know what the India captain was thinking.

    Media caption,

    'Absolute madness!' - Gill run out trying to force quick single

  8. Postpublished at 19:47 British Summer Time 31 July

    Gus Atkinson was the pick of England's bowlers today.

    He took 2-31 from his 19 overs, trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw and having Dhruv Jurel caught by Harry Brook.

    Media caption,

    'Ollie looks happy!' - Pope review pays off as Jaiswal dismissed lbw for two

    Media caption,

    Atkinson takes Jurel wicket after initial lbw dismissal overturned on previous ball

  9. Postpublished at 19:45 British Summer Time 31 July

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    I think England, if they're being brutally honest with themselves, on a pitch that they've bowled today with 8mm of grass, there's been enough seam movement and swing.

    They would've fancied bowling India out today.

  10. Postpublished at 19:43 British Summer Time 31 July

    Deep Dasgupta
    Former India wicketkeeper

    India should be alright now. Maybe not half an hour or 45 minutes ago where they lost those six wickets rather early. This partnership has got into a decent position. Not good, but decent.

    This pitch has been really difficult to bat, we’ve seen a lot of lateral movement here. The conditions have been very bowling friendly. 204-6 is alright.

  11. Postpublished at 19:41 British Summer Time 31 July

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    I think India will be delighted from what I've seen today and the conditions England have bowled in.

    I don't think it was easy, clearly from the Vauxhall End the foot holes are quite soft and the bowlers were skidding, look at Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton were inconsistent.

  12. Day one recappublished at 19:40 British Summer Time 31 July

    England won the toss and elected to field and in and around two lengthy rain delays, they picked up regular wickets to reduce India to 153-6.

    However, an unbeaten 51-run partnership between Karun Nair and Washington Sundar has carried India beyond 200.

    The match, as Ebony says, is in the balance but of major concern for England is the state of Chris Woakes' shoulder. He injured his left shoulder while preventing a boundary late in the day and left the field in considerable pain.

  13. Postpublished at 19:37 British Summer Time 31 July

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Former England batter on Test Match Special

    I've been impressed with the amount of cricket we've had today. It's a glorious evening in the end, we've had some decent cricket and the game is in the balance.

  14. Postpublished at 19:34 British Summer Time 31 July

    Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I'd say honours even. 204-6 isn't a bad score to find yourself on here at The Oval on the first day.

  15. Close - Ind 204-6published at 64 overs

    Nair 52, Washington 19

    There's nearly some late drama. Jacob Bethell has his hands on his head as the ball whistles past Washington Sundar's bat and is dropped by Jamie Smith. Fortunately for the wicketkeeper, it doesn't look like it hit the bat.

    Bethell brings the curtain down on day one with a maiden. India close on 204-6.

  16. Ind 204-6published at 63 overs

    Gus Atkinson concedes a single.

    We're into the final two minutes of what has been a long old - and quite damp - day of cricket.

  17. Ind 203-6published at 62 overs

    Around an hour ago, India were 153-6 and thoughts were turning to a sub-200 total. Sir Alastair Cook, on TMS, said they'd bite your hand off for 230.

    Now they're 203-6 and should be eyeing 300. However, there is the small matter of how their tail has performed this summer. This is a huge partnership.

  18. Postpublished at 19:23 British Summer Time 31 July

    Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Karun Nair celebrates his half-centuryImage source, Getty Images

    Karun Nair has stuck at it today and he's had to as India are only one wicket away from the tail.

  19. 50 runs

    50 for Karun Nairpublished at 61.1 overs

    Ind 201-6

    Media caption,

    Nair reaches fifty in 'testing conditions' to help India steady ship

    Karun Nair waves to the India balcony in celebration. He's reached his half-century off 89 deliveries. He's frustrated England today.

    200 up for India.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 31 July

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    England will not be pleased with their work. They've bowled erratically at best, and are in some ways fortunate to have as many wickets as they do. With the condition today they should have had India all out by now.

    Anon