TRADEMARK SHOT: Wasim Jaffer played some delightful strokes during the course of his unbeaten 73. — Photo: AP

Nagpur: Sometimes a cricketer rises above himself, emboldened in a moment bigger than him. Paul Collingwood isn't great, he probably never will be, but his unbeaten 134 straddling four sessions was.

Written off, England, through Collingwood's maiden hundred and the partnerships he strung together, first with the belligerent Harmison and then with the surprisingly capable Panesar, roared back into contention on the second day of the first Test at the VCA Stadium. The last two wickets yielded 126 runs as the tourists, disparaged for their brittle health and the size of their entourage, were finally dismissed seven short of 400, thirty-five minutes after lunch.

In reply, Wasim Jaffer — playing his first Test in nearly four years — complied an unbeaten 73, replete with strokes of glitter and allure, to help India restore parity and end the day at 136 for one. The tall Mumbai opener played an innings that was as schizophrenic as it was achingly beautiful: 52 came in 13 balls off wristy boundaries, the other 21 took 157.

Disciplined effort

Jaffer's fourth Test fifty was also one of discipline. In the past, he has fallen to the expansive drive through cover. He abstained, forcing England's leather flingers to bowl to him. That accomplished, he proceeded to evoke memories of leg-side artists from Ranjitsinhji to Azharuddin to Laxman. Only after he passed 50 did he caress one through the covers.

Rahul Dravid, with a patient 40, kept Jaffer company before bad light stopped play with two overs remaining. The pair added 125 in 273 balls after Hoggard had knocked the ball off its axis and enticed Sehwag to spoon the slower delivery to Kevin Pietersen at cover.

Sensible batting

With three English wickets remaining when play started, two of whom answered to the names Harmison and Panesar, the Indian bowlers were expected to wrap things up quickly. Instead, the gangling Durham quick and the Northampton spinner showed what a little sense and some luck can achieve. After Sreesanth, who finished with four wickets on debut, snared Hoggard with the second new ball via cut on an otherwise dormant track, Harmison exploded.

Forty-two balls were either stopped dead or summarily smashed. Sreesanth was struck for three consecutive fours: a stunning classical cover-drive that prompted a sheepish grin, a steer to point, and then incredibly, a controlled pull shot. Harmison finally aimed an agricultural swipe and missed. Dhoni didn't.

Panesar came, and with him came the reputation of an incorrigible bunny. On Thursday's evidence, it's a reputation ill-earned.

Collingwood's is a method sans frippery: relaxed at the crease, his batting comprises clean, crisp, straight lines that allow him to exploit angles when he isn't employing a defensive stroke, which is more than competent. So, when Sreesanth went wide to shaft it in, Collingwood tucked him between square-leg and long-on. To Harbhajan, he sashayed, a step down, a step to his left — enough leeway for his fluid arms to course through the line.

Kumble was tapped and Pathan accorded the respect a trundler receives — charged and deposited beyond the boundary. Twice, Collingwood's nicks found holes in the staggered slip cordon, but mostly he rolled his wrists on pulls and chipped the spinners into vacant land. Not even the heat, a sapping 36 degrees, drained his reserves.

Heavy downpour

Heavy rains, however, lashed the city late on Thursday evening after the day's play had ended. The square and practice wickets were covered when the rain, accompanied by lightning and thunderclaps, started and it's likely that Friday's play will not start at 10 a.m. as scheduled.

Born in Shotley Bridge, Durham — best known for making swords — the 29-year-old can, when the situation warrants, thrust like a rapier. His gumption was most impressive. With the limpet-like Hoggard, he spread it around, secure in the knowledge his partner wouldn't throw it away. He shifted down a gear when Harmison powered on and stepped up when Panesar joined him.

In just five Tests, a period that has seen him play 85 ODIs, Collingwood has shown glimpses of character and skill. In the fifth Test at The Oval last year he held on to forge a 60-run partnership with Kevin Pietersen to ensure England won the Ashes. The heat and dust of the third Test against Pakistan in Lahore brought scores of 96 and 80.

On Thursday, his efforts at warding off Kumble and Harbhajan, while ensuring that his tailenders kept their heads, would have earned appreciation even from Steve Waugh. There can be no bigger compliment.

SCOREBOARD

England — 1st innings: A. Strauss c Laxman b Sreesanth 28, A. Cook b Pathan 60, I. Bell c Dravid b Harbhajan 9, K. Pietersen b Sreesanth 15, P. Collingwood (not out) 134, A. Flintoff lbw b Kumble 43, G. Jones lbw b Pathan 14, I. Blackwell b Pathan 4, M. Hoggard c Dhoni b Sreesanth 11, S. Harmison st. Dhoni b Harbhajan 39, M. Panesar lbw b Sreesanth 9; Extras (b-7, lb-7, nb-12, w-1): 27; Total (in 127.5 overs) 393.

Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-81, 3-110, 4-136, 5-203, 6-225, 7-244, 8-267, 9-327.

India bowling: Pathan 23-5-92-3, Sreesanth 28.5-6-95-4, Harbhajan 34-5-93-2, Kumble 40-13-88-1, Tendulkar 2-0-11-0.

India — 1st innings: W. Jaffer (batting) 73, V. Sehwag c Pietersen b Hoggard 2, R. Dravid (batting) 40; Extras (b-13, lb-1, nb-2, w-5): 21; Total (for one wkt. in 48 overs) 136.

Fall of wicket: 1-11.

England bowling: Hoggard 12-4-23-1, Harmison 10-3-26-0, Flintoff 9-4-25-0, Panesar 13-3-30-0, Blackwell 4-0-18-0.

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