Robson, Ballance stabilise England innings

Nottingham, July 11 (IANS) Unbeaten half-centuries from Sam Robson and Gary Ballance took England to a comfortable 131 for one in the first innings at lunch on the third day of the first cricket Test against India at the Trent Bridge here Friday.

Robson and Ballance were batting on 59 each as England still trail by 326 runs after a fruitful first session during which they scored 88 runs.

Resuming at 43/1, Robson and Ballance scored freely on both sides of the wickets as Indian seamers found some swing under the gloomy Nottingham sky.

The pair took their unbeaten stand to 122 to add some stability to the England innings after skipper Alastair Cook departed last evening. Both the batsmen had hit their maiden centuries in the series loss against Sri Lanka.

Ballance was patient enough to wait for the loose deliveries. He hit seven fours and reached his 50 by cutting the ball to the boundary.

Robson was lucky after he was dropped by Ravinder Jadeja dropped at slip on 43. But he made the most of the opportunity after he got to his half-century by cutting debutant Stuart Binny through the covers.