Andrew Strauss cracked a composed 123 but England squandered a solid start to allow India claw back into the game with four wickets in the last session and wrest the initiative in the first cricket Test in Chennai.

Strauss, who was not part of the one-day squad, notched up his 13th Test century but his sheet-anchoring role was somewhat neutralised as the visitors lost quick wickets in the last session to be reduced to 229 for five at close on the opening day.

Electing to bat, Strauss and his opening partner Alastair Cook (52) provided a solid launch pad with a 118-run partnership but the cheap dismissals of Ian Bell (17), Kevin Pietersen (4) and Paul Collingwood (9) helped the hosts to tilt the balance slightly in their favour on a placid track at the M A Chidambaram stadium.

Andrew Flintoff (18) and night watchman James Anderson (2) were at the crease at stumps in a match held under extra ordinary circumstances after the recent terror attacks in Mumbai had thrown the series into jeopardy.

But England returned with a full strength team to stand "shoulder-to-shoulder" with the Indian people in their hour of grief.

The Chidambaram stadium, however, wore a deserted look as few spectators turned up to watch the opening day's proceedings, just a fortnight after the terror strikes in Mumbai.

England, who agreed to play the two-Test series after security checks and a shift in venues, joined the Indian players in wearing black bands and observing a minute's silence for the victims before play began.

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