PERFECT TIMING: Mohammad Kaif chose the right moment to end his lean patch. — Photo: S. Subramanium

Nagpur: The first Test's most riveting day unfolded on Friday, play surprisingly starting on time despite overnight showers.

It had all the ingredients of a pivotal third day: a cataclysmic collapse in morning's soft light; some fine quick and medium-quick bowling drawn equally from the tenets of restraint and the dark art of reverse swing; gritty backs-to-the-wall batting resistance, not pretty but compelling; the heart-warming moment of a debutant's dream realised and two late wickets to perhaps turn it England's way.

After Hoggard had reduced India, comfortably placed at 136 for one, to 155 for four in the first hour, and Panesar had trapped the great Sachin Tendulkar in front for his first Test wicket, Mohammad Kaif and Anil Kumble fought back, before both fell in the space of seven balls, which turned out to be last seven of the day.

Panesar turned one across Kaif's bat to trigger wild celebrations, as India finished at 322 for nine, still 71 behind. Two thrilling days lie in store.

When Kumble joined the Uttar Pradesh batsman, India — 190 for seven — was staring disaster in the eye. Neither man blinked. Kaif's last nine international innings (both Tests and ODIs) have realised just 53 runs. In the side in place of the injured Yuvraj, who had struck a purple patch, Kaif buckled down and dealt with pressure admirably.

Little by little, the pair ate away at the deficit, adding, in over four hours, 128 off 346 balls to equal the Indian record for the eighth wicket against England. They concentrated hard, showing that the track held no demons if a dead bat and a desire to grind out runs were melded.

Rousing strokes

As his confidence improved, Kaif even hit Harmison on the up through covers and pulled the Durham paceman in front of square late in the day. He slapped Hoggard through point and on drove him with felicity. Kaif's hard-fought 91 contained 12 fours and took six hours and 263 balls.

Kumble, whose batting has not reached the levels early potential had suggested, played a couple of exquisite late cuts off Panesar, but his stroke of the day was when he squeezed Hoggard through the covers, a customised glide that sped off bat face. His 58 — fourth fifty in Tests — came off 168 balls with 10 hits to the fence.

There is to Hoggard's carriage something of the hangdog. His round-shouldered, limp-armed plod back to his mark scarce suggests the endurance of a Siberian husky. Perhaps, the lolling tongue gives it away.

For, seventeen or so bustling steps carry him to the crease and this feat is performed all day with no let up in intensity or vigour — stamina and ticker that's the stuff of a captain's dream.

Hoggard's first over on Friday was a continuation of the previous day's spell of attrition. Rahul Dravid, as technically accomplished as they come, was worked over.

A greedy drive that didn't connect clearly showed that the Indian captain's mind hadn't settled. A word to himself and a touch of gloves with Jaffer at the end of the over followed.

Dravid unlucky

Crucially, not one of Hoggard's deliveries that over reversed — each was honest, probing, near imploring, much like the creator. They hinted away, but did little else. So, when in his next over, Hoggard, out of the blue, curved a reverser in late, Dravid's forward press was beaten. The ball would have missed leg stump though, another contentious decision; England, having had two (Flintoff and Jones) go against it when it batted, saw the scales even out.

The slips have caught some screamers in this match and Jaffer, 19 short of a maiden Test hundred, fell victim to one more. Having refrained from the indulgence of the cover drive on Thursday, the opener's reserve finally weakened.

Costly miss

When the edge flew low off Jaffer's bat, Flintoff was at second slip. For someone who stands four inches over six feet, Flintoff is remarkably nimble. He fielded like a fiend all day, whether bending low in his follow through or throwing himself in the covers. Missing a crucial Kaif caught and bowled off a slower one was his only blemish. This time his arms descended — his large palms accepting — his finger tips touched grass and it was over. Just like that.

Hoggard had two wickets in two balls when he arced another reverse swinging delivery at Laxman's front pad. Replays showed there might have been the faintest of inside edges, but Hoggard was not to be denied.

SCOREBOARD

England — 1st innings: 393.

India — 1st innings: W. Jaffer c Flintoff b Hoggard 81, V. Sehwag c Pietersen b Hoggard 2, R. Dravid lbw b Hoggard 40, S. Tendulkar lbw b Panesar 16, V.V.S. Laxman lbw b Hoggard 0, Mohd. Kaif b Panesar 91, M.S. Dhoni c Jones b Flintoff 5, I. Pathan c Flintoff b Hoggard 2, A. Kumble c Cook b Harmison 58, Harbhajan (batting) 0; Extras (b-17, lb-3, nb-2, w-5): 27; Total (for nine wkts. in 135.4 overs) 322.

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-140, 3-149, 4-149, 5-176, 6-183, 7-190, 8-318, 9-322.

England bowling: Hoggard 30-13-57-5, Harmison 27-5-75-1, Flintoff 29-10-68-1, Panesar 41.4-19-72-2, Blackwell 7-0-28-0, Bell 1-0-2-0.

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