The Indian bowlers came a cropper as Somerset rode on Arul Suppiah's unbeaten century, and an equally fluent knock from England skipper Andrew Strauss, to pile a mammoth 329 for two on day one of the three-day warm-up match in Taunton.
The 33-year-old has played 118 Tests for England, scoring 7,727 runs and winning five Ashes series since becoming a regular in the side following his debut in 2004, but disappointed in the recently concluded series against Pakistan.
James Taylor and Nick Compton compiled gritty half-centuries to lead England to 179 for four on a rain-disrupted first day of the opening Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban, on Saturday.
England's Nick Compton and Jonathan Trott punctured New Zealand's growing bubble of self-belief on Thursday as they both scored centuries to guide their side to an imposing 267 for two at the close of play on the first day of the second Test.
England emerged with a few positives, ahead of the opening Test of the four-game series against India, from their three-day warm-up game against Mumbai 'A' that ended in a draw at the D Y Patil stadium, in Mumbai, on Monday.
Struggling England opener Nick Compton was a relieved man on Monday. His satisfaction stemmed from the face that he managed to stay at the wicket for a sufficient time and score runs against Mumbai A in the drawn three-day practice game in Mumbai.
Scores of 9, 37, 29, 30 not out and 57 don't quite make for a good reading, especially if they have come from an opener's blade.
Kevin Pietersen's future in international cricket was thrown into further doubt on Tuesday after he was not picked in the 16-man England Test squad for the forthcoming four-Test match series in India.
Pragyan Ojha struck twice in the second session to help India take the upper-hand after England batted resolutely in reply to India's first innings total of 327 on the second afternoon of the second Test on Saturday.
Alastair Cook and Nick Compton made some amends for England's poor first innings by grinding out a 231-run partnership to eat deep into New Zealand's lead of 293 on the fourth day of the first Test on Saturday.
Statistical highlights of the third day's play of the first Test between India and England in Ahmedabad, on Saturday.
Statistical highlights of the third day's play of the third cricket Test between India and England at the Eden Gardens.
Trent Boult grabbed two wickets as New Zealand reduced England to 50 for two and seized the advantage at the end of the second day of the deciding third Test at Eden Park on Saturday.
Former captain Geoffrey Boycott questioned England's ability to play spin on the turning sub-continent pitches after they lost three quick wickets in the first Test against India in Ahmedabad.
Rahul Dewan struck an impressive unbeaten 143 but England managed to budle Haryana out for 333 to extended their lead to 306 runs in Ahmdedabad on Saturday.
Images from Day one of the India's tour game against Somerset.
Australia captain Michael Clarke fired an Ashes warning to England before next week's first Test, smashing a 98-ball 124 on the penultimate day of their final warm-up game against Worcestershire on Thursday.
Yuvraj Singh has been included in Marylebone Cricket Club squad to play in Emirates T20
Off-spinner Dane Piedt raised hopes of an unlikely South African victory as he grabbed three wickets on Wednesday to leave England on 155 for six at tea on the final day of the high-scoring second Test.
Ben Stokes and his team-mates have their task cut out as they look to emulate Alastair Cook-led England's historic India series win in 2012.
Uncapped duo Jake Ball and James Vince have been named in England's squad for their home test against Sri Lanka at Headingley on May 19, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday.
The Mumbai camp of the Tendulkar MIddlesex Global Academy (TGMA) got underway today at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday bringing together the two legends of Mumbai cricket -- Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli.
An untidy shot prevented captain Alastair Cook from grabbing a place in cricketing history on Friday when he was caught at slip for 15 as England reached 83-2 at lunch on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Duncan Fletcher handled the toughest transition phase in Indian cricket post the retirement of stalwarts and he should be given due credit for shaping the pace attack of the current team, former England opener Nick Compton said.
England have included pace bowler Graham Onions in a 13-man squad for the first Ashes Test against Australia starting at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Wednesday.
England picked up three early wickets as Sri Lanka struggled to 218 for six at lunch on the third day of the third and final Test at Lord's on Saturday.
Dinesh Chandimal completed a fine century as Sri Lanka continued to hold up England's bid to clinch the series by moving on to 403 for six at lunch on the fourth day of the second test in Durham on Monday. The touring side, crushed in the opening test and bowled out for 101 in the first innings, are six runs ahead in the match after losing only one wicket in the morning session.
England fast bowler James Anderson took five wickets to inspire the hosts to a crushing victory over Sri Lanka by an innings and 88 runs in the first Test in Leeds on Saturday.
England's Jonny Bairstow compiled his first century at Lord's -- and his second of the series -- to ensure the hosts completed a satisfactory first day of the final Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday, finishing at 279 for six.
England have recalled Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance for the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's next week, but paceman Jimmy Anderson misses out with a shoulder injury. Uncapped Middlesex seamer Roland-Jones Ball was named in their 12-man squad, announced on Thursday.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the interesting numbers from Day 2 of the India-England Test at Leeds.
An unbeaten half century from Joe Root helped England into a commanding position on the third day of the first Test as they opened up a 261-run lead over South Africa on Monday.
England wicketkeeper batsman Matt Prior has reportedly pledged to respond to former international teammate Kevin Pietersen's claims that he was back-stabbing and a bad influence on the team.
Captain Hashim Amla emerged from a year of poor form with a dogged century to lead a South Africa fight back in the second Test against England on Monday.
England have the makings of a strong future test team, captain Alastair Cook said on Wednesday after a comprehensive 241-run win over South Africa in the first Test at Kingsmead.
Statistical highlights of the fourth day's play of the first cricket Test between India and England in Rajkot on Saturday.
'It's an exciting time to play,' says Alistair Cook.
Firebrand fast bowler Kagiso Rabada bagged two wickets as South Africa reduced England to 52 for three at the close of day four of the final Test on Monday.
Alastair Cook posted his first half-century of the series with an unbeaten 67 as England closed day two of the final Test on 138 for two, still 337 runs behind South Africa at Centurion Park on Saturday.
England captain Alastair Cook is still hurting after the Test series defeat by Pakistan but believes his side are equipped to strike back against the world's number one team in South Africa. As he prepared to fly out with his team to South Africa on Thursday, Cook, who has never won a Test series against the Proteas, described just how important a victory will be."It would mean a huge amount to beat the world number one nation in their backyard," the 30-year-old, leading the current fifth-ranked Test nation, told a news conference. "That's the challenge we've got ahead of us.
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