Birmingham, Aug 1 - England made a steady start reaching 83\/1 at lunch on the opening day of the first Test at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground here on Wednesday.
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\r\nAt the break, opener Keaton Jennings was unbeaten on 38 with skipper Joe Root giving him company with a steady 31, defying the Indian bowlers any further inroads.
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\r\nFor the visitors, it was their lone spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who cleaned up former English skipper Alastair Cook with a beauty for just 13.
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\r\nElecting to bat under slightly damp conditions, the England openers -- Cook and Jennings -- had no trouble in dealing with the India quicks as they quickly raised 26 runs, before Ashwin was brought in as early as the seventh over of the innings.
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\r\nThe off-spinner immediately delivered with the wicket of Cook, even as Jennings survived a dropped chance and a few inside-edges. India's slip catching once again disappointed as Ajinkya Rahane dropped Jennings when the southpaw was on 9.
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\r\nCook's departure brought in Root, who together with Jennings started the repair work, playing Ashwin with caution.
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\r\nThe right-left duo had a calculative approach, thereby forging together a 57-run second wicket stand and ensured there were no more hiccups on the perfect batting track assisted by the heat wave.
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\r\nBrief Scores: England 83\/1 (Keaton Jennings 38 not out, Joe Roor 31 not out, Ravichandran Ashwin 1\/13) vs India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n