July 14, 2007	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 28, 1428

CHELMSFORD (England), July 13: An unbeaten century from Tim Bresnen, his second in first-class cricket, and his 129-run partnership with Stuart Broad for the eighth wicket, allowed England Lions to gain the upper hand at the end of the first day against India on Friday.

The Indian bowlers, led by Zaheer Khan, made an impact in the second session but Joe Denly’s belligerent 83 at the start, as well as the Bresnen-Broad union, outdid that attempt.

Andrew Strauss failed to capitalise on the good batting conditions, as did Owais Shah but a trio of Denly, Bresnen and Broad made India pay. A middle-order collapse raised hopes of a fight-back but three dropped catches, coupled with India’s inability to polish off the tail, returned to disturb them.

Opener Denly began as if this was a one-dayer, clattering Zaheer for as many as five fours in an over, racing to 43 in just 29 balls. Bresnen was relatively more compact in his style and showed how well he could bat with the tail, guiding the Lions from a modest 225-7 to a healthy 379-8 at the close.

Summarised scores: ENGLAND LIONS 379-8 (Tim Bresnan 116 not out, Joe Denly 83, Stuart Broad 50; Zaheer Khan 3-99). –Agencies