Eng 310-3published at 106 overs
A single apiece for Root and Stokes.
England have handled Ashwin well so far. He's taken 57 wickets against them in 16 Tests so he has caused issues in the past.
Summary
Bess - dropped on 19 by Rohit - ends 28 not out
Ishant takes two wickets in two balls in final hour of day
Root hits 218 - his fifth double-century - before being trapped lbw
Stokes - dropped twice in his 30s - hits aggressive 82
Pitch already breaking up - signs of spin and uneven bounce
First Test, day two, Chennai
Eng 310-3published at 106 overs
Postpublished at 05:10 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
Double spin for India as Ravi Ashwin comes back on at the other end.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 05:10 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
Text 81111
Up at 4am with a poorly child. Child has been duly dosed with Calpol and now surreptitiously checking live text and waiting for her to fall asleep so I can sneak off to the TV. Come on Joe!
Kate in Stockport
Eng 308-3published at 105 overs
Hmmm. Shahbaz Nadeem gets one to keep a little bit low, but this pitch is so slow that Joe Root has ample time to play it. England won't mind seeing that in the changing room.
Five off the over.
Postpublished at 05:07 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
Shahbaz Nadeem continues after drinks.
Postpublished at 05:04 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
That bathroom gets painted Wednesday-Friday in-between the two Tests, surely Paul?
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 05:03 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
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Finishing of a night shift, debating whether to stay awake for the whole 2nd day instead of painting a bathroom.
Paul, Criccieth, North wales
drinks break Eng 303-3published at 104 overs
Root 142, Stokes 26
Stokes sees out the rest of the over.
That'll be drinks. England have added 40 runs without loss so far this morning. Without doubt their hour.
Eng 303-3published at 103.2 overs
Ben Stokes!
Back-to-back boundaries as he plays a lovely on-drive for four, before driving a full delivery through the covers. Two lovely shots.
England's 300 is up.
How's stat?!published at 05:00 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
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End of X postEng 295-3published at 103 overs
Root 142, Stokes 18
That rough is definitely on Ben Stokes' mind. He does a bit of gardening before the over, and then plays a reverse sweep off the first ball, despite the fact there's a fielder there and the ball pitched on leg stump.
Four more for Joe Root as he sweeps to the fence. Ishant was diving across to cut that off and did well, but it rebounded off his trailing hand and dribbled into the rope. India's fielding was below par yesterday - it needs to improve.
Postpublished at 04:53 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
England have seen off Ravi Ashwin, as left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem comes on.
There's a bit of rough for him to work with to Ben Stokes.
Eng 290-3published at 102 overs
Joe Root has already scored 100 more runs than he did in 2020. He's played three Tests in comparison to eight last year.
Don't break that bat, Joe. It could be the best you've ever had.
Ohh! Almost the commentators curse as Ishant again gets one to cannon into Root's pads, as he looks to turn into the leg side, but again it is sliding down. Ishant is creating opportunities against Root.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 04:51 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
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A nice civilised 7am start here in Basra Iraq - even time for bit of breakfast before the start.
Stoz in Basra
Eng 290-3published at 101 overs
Root 138, Stokes 17
Lovely! This might be Ben Stokes' first Test since the first against Pakistan in August but he looks in good nick.
He gets down on one knee and slog sweeps Ravi Ashwin to the square leg fence.
England have added 27 runs in 11.3 overs this morning.
Image source, BCCIPostpublished at 04:44 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
There's two ways of looking at this Matt...
1. If you manage to survive than you should be ready to go straight to sleep and then wake up to watch day three...
2. A well-known bookmaker paid out on Man City winning the league yesterday so do you even need to bother with Man Utd?
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 04:43 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
#bbccricket
Matt Dawson: So I have a dilemma... I'm still awake to watch England... However, the Six Nations is on later... Also, Man Utd play later in the Premier League So... I need someone to find a way for me to stay awake for the next 18 hours.
Eng 284-3published at 100 overs
Root 137, Stokes 12
Joe Root is human! This may be a first in 2021. Looking to defend, he gets a thick inside edge, that flies between his legs and into the on side for a single.
More good running from England as Stokes plays one down the ground and they scamper through for a single.
Postpublished at 04:38 Greenwich Mean Time 6 February 2021
What did India say this morning? Two brings seven?
Image source, BCCIEng 282-3published at 99 overs
The stalemate ends with Root and Stokes both picking up a single.
Ravi Ashwin has already bowled five overs today, 29 in total now. He hasn't created any real opportunities this morning so England will be hoping they are close to seeing his first spell out.