Root anchors England innings with stylish century

Joe Root scored an attractive century while Moeen Ali notched up an unbeaten 99 to help England post a respectable 311 for four at the end of the first day of the first Test match against India in Rajkot on Wednesday.

England's Joe Root plays a shot on the first day of the first test match against India in Rajkot on Wednesday. Amit Dave/Reuters

Root and Ali shared an important 179-run partnership for the fourth wicket that formed the backbone of England’s innings.

The right-handed batsman hit 11 fours and a six in his knock of 124 before being caught and bowled by pace bowler Umesh Yadav.

Earlier, England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and decided to bat. Cook and debutant Haseeb Hameed put on 47 runs for the first wicket. The visitors lost the next three wickets for just 55 runs before Cook and Ali resurrected the innings.

Root scored his 11th Test hundred, his third against India, becoming the first overseas player to score a century in India since Australia's Michael Clarke in 2013.

For India R Ashwin claimed two wickets while Ravidra Jadeja and Yadav took one wicket each.

Sri Lanka in command against Zimbabwe

In Harare, Sri Lanka set Zimbabwe a daunting target of 492 runs on the fourth day of the second Test match.

Dimuth Karunaratne's 88 helped the visitors score 258 for nine in the second innings, giving them an overall lead of 491 runs.

Zimbabwe were struggling at 33 for two at tea still needing 459 runs with eight wickets in hand. Spin bowler Rangana Hearth took both the wickets to add to his five in the first innings.

Herath became just the third bowler in cricket history to pick up five-wicket hauls against all nine Test nations.

Herath’s figures of five for 89 helped Sri Lanka bowl the home side out for 272 in the first innings in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 504 runs.