Robson, Ballance stand firm against India

NOTTINGHAM, July 11 (AFP): Matching unbeaten fifties from Sam Robson and Gary Ballance saw England fight back in the first Test against India at Trent Bridge Friday.
England were 131 for one in reply to India's first innings 457, a deficit of 326 runs, at lunch on the third day.
But they had not lost a wicket during Friday's morning session, although Robson was dropped on 43.
Both Australia-born opener Robson and Zimbabwe-born Ballance were 59 not out after they had each completed a fifty in 123 balls.
England, without a win in their last eight Tests, resumed on 43 for one after captain Alastair Cook had been bowled round his legs for five by Mohammed Shami Thursday.
That made it 25 innings since Cook had scored the last of his England record 25 Test hundreds, with his average in that period a meagre 24.
India's total owed much to a record last-wicket stand against England of 111 between Bhuvneshwar Kumar (58) and Shami (51 not out).
England, after two days of bright sunshine, saw Robson (20 not out) and Ballance (15 not out) walk out Friday in overcast conditions that promised to assist India's seamers on a still largely docile pitch.
Robson, who in common with Ballance scored his maiden Test century during England's recent series defeat by Sri Lanka, was quickly into his stride.
He cover-drove Shami for four and next ball clipped the seamer off his legs for another boundary.
Lunch England 131 for 1 (Robson 59*, Ballance 59*) trail India 457 by 326 runs.