Debutant Jennings century puts England in command

Mumbai: Opener Keaton Jennings hit a debut century as England reached 288-5 on a fluctuating first day of the fourth Test against India in Mumbai.

South Africa-born Jennings, called up to the squad last week, put on 99 runs with captain Alastair Cook (46) and went on to make an impressive 112.

He was supported by Moeen Ali (50) before Ravichandran Ashwin (4-75) dismissed both batsmen after tea.

Ashwin also removed Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow to give India the upper hand.

Jennings, supported first by Cook and then by an increasingly confident Moeen, put England in a strong position and they were helped by defensive fields from India.

However India were gifted a route back into the game when Moeen was caught trying to slog-sweep Ashwin for six. And 230-3 became 230-4 two deliveries later when Jennings edged a fine delivery to gully.

"I'd like to ask the coach, in the nicest way possible, what do you say to someone like Moeen when we've got them by the scruff of the neck and then you let them back into the game?" ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott said on Test Match Special.

"Don't give the opposition a sniff. When you've got them down, keep them down. From a great position that England have had, they've given an opening to India."

There was concern for umpire Paul Reiffel, who was forced to leave the field after being struck on the head by a lobbed return throw from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The Australian was rested for the remainder of the day after a scan.

Brief scores
England - 288 for 5 (Jennings 112, Moeen Ali 50, Ashwin 4-74)