England 113-3 after India bowled out for 152

MANCHESTER: Stuart Broad took six wickets as India were bowled out for just 152 on the first day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on Thursday.

However, India´s final total -- built on a defiant 71 from captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who opted to bat first after winning the toss in overcast conditions -- represented a considerable recovery after they had been eight for four.

It was the worst start to the first innings of a Test since England were two for four against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1999 when Duncan Fletcher, now in charge of India, was their coach.

At stumps, England were 113 for three, 39 runs behind. Ian Bell was 45 not out and nightwatchman Chris Jordan unbeaten on nought after Gary Ballance (37) fell late in the day.

Broad, showing no sign of his persistent right knee injury, took six for 25 in 13.4 overs, including a post-lunch burst of four for six in 21 balls.

Meanwhile, Broad´s new-ball partner James Anderson had figures of three for 46 in 14 overs on his Lancashire home ground.

Anderson, although the International Cricket Council confirmed Wednesday they would not take further action against him after he had been cleared of abusing and pushing India´s Ravindra Jadeja during the drawn first Test at Trent Bridge, came into this match under a cloud for his persistent ´sledging´. But few India batsmen, Dhoni apart, lingered long enough at the crease for it to become an issue on Thursday.

India in fact equalled the record of six ducks in a Test innings, with three of their top four out for nought.

Apart from Dhoni, the only other India batsmen to make it into double figures were Ravichandran Ashwin (40) and Ajinkya Rahane (24).

All of India´s first four wickets fell with their score on eight, a quartet of batsmen dismissed in the space of 13 balls.

Australia-born England opener Sam Robson, as if conscious he had been repeatedly caught in the slips, was bowled middle stump leaving a Bhuvneshwar Kumar inswinger.

Then Cook, fresh from his two fifties in Southampton, hooked the recalled Varun Aaron straight to Pankaj Singh at long leg. Ballance and Bell, who both made hundreds at Southampton, added 77 before the former was lbw to Aaron. (AFP)