19 Jul 2014

England Test finely poised after Ballance ton

1:25 pm on 19 July 2014

England's Gary Ballance scored his second Test century as the second cricket Test against India sat evenly-poised following a sweltering day's play at Lord's.

Having dismissed the visitors for 295 on a pitch that appears to be getting easier to bat on, England reached 219 for six at the close of day two, with Liam Plunkett on four and Matt Prior two.

England will look to reach India's total on the third day should the predicted poor weather hold off, while the tourists will be desperate to take a lead into their second innings.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the pick of the Indian bowlers, getting rid of captain Alastair Cook and Sam Robson before lunch and Ian Bell after the break.

The hosts also lost Joe Root before Ballance and Moeen, two of England's success stories in what has been a tough period after series defeats by Australia and Sri Lanka, combined to good effect.

They put on 98 for the fifth wicket, having come together with their side in trouble at 113 for four.