A FILL OF GILL

Stokes playing catch-up after another ton by India's captain

- By Mike Walters

AFTER the heatwave, Shubman Gill was as cool as the other side of the pillow.

And while England struggled to shift India's captain from their Edgbaston fortress, Ben Stokes' addiction to the thrill of the chase will be tested again.

Gill's chanceless, unbeaten 114 under blue skies was the bedrock of his team's 310-5 on the opening day of the second Test.

England have never lost a Test against India in the land of strangled vowels. But after Stokes followed the template of last month's run feast at Headingley, they are playing catch-up again on a flat pitch.

On Big Ben's watch, England have triumphed in 11 out of 13 home Tests after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first.

And Gill bore a despairing look when Stokes won the prerogative for another potential fourth-innings pursuit.