Liam Dawson supplements the attack like one 2005 Ashes hero, Old Trafford recognises two LEGENDS of the game, and a word of advice for fans ahead of day two: BUMBLE ON THE TEST
After yet another strong start from openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal - with Ben Stokes not bothered by Old Trafford's history for sides fielding first - Chris Woakes made the breakthrough.
Liam Dawson then got his first wicket on his recall after nearly 3,000 days out in the cold, before Stokes got a couple, with Rishabh Pant leaving the field hurt and headed for hospital.
At 264 for four, as well as Pant's retirement, the Test is delicately poised heading into the second day.
England will be hoping to dislodge an in-form Ravindra Jadeja who is looking for his fifth consecutive Test 50 and make short work of the rest of the tail, before working towards cutting into the deficit in typical fashion.
Here, Mail Sport's David 'Bumble' Lloyd brings you some of the insights and stories from around the ground that you may have missed.
My tips for thirsty fans
Home turf for me this week at Emirates Old Trafford. I know the area like the back of my hand. Get on the tram outside the ground and you are in the city in 10 minutes.
Don't forget to tap on and off – they don't like you not paying! If you are thirsty, I'd recommend The City Arms, Circus Tavern or The Temple, which used to be a public toilet.
Barred from my own bar!
I am hosting the 'Bumble's Legends Lounge' during this match. The room is adorned with giant pictures of me, which is quite embarrassing but a wonderful gesture from the club. It is top dining and top seats.
There was just one problem on Wednesday… they wouldn't let me in! I had to make an emergency phone call to get into my own lounge after the chap on the other side of the door denied me entry!
Get more gates open!
The ground was only half full at the start of play because thousands of fans were still queuing to get in, with full bag searches also slowing things down.
The post highlighted that empty seats in Old Trafford could be explained by the queues outside
Lancashire said in a statement they will be looking to open more gates on Thursday. But why weren't they open in the first place? It's a sell-out match, you need all entrances available. My advice for those coming on Thursday – get there early.
Here's to an iconic duo!
At long last, we have a stand named after Lancashire legends Sir Clive Lloyd and Farokh Engineer.
I had the privilege of captaining them both when they were the stars of the club. Farokh was a real character and Clive was one of the greatest batsmen I've ever seen.
By the way, both would have been box office in the IPL. It was great to catch up with them at the ground.
India openers on song
In cloudy conditions with a new ball on a fresh pitch, England would have fancied their chances of three or four wickets in the morning session. But India's openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul passed the test with flying colours.
They played with great responsibility, defending stoutly and leaving the ball outside off stump, but didn't miss scoring opportunities. I thought they were magnificent.
Liam looks the part
It was an impressive start from Liam Dawson on his return to the Test team after an eight-year absence. He looks a tough, no-nonsense cricketer and can be the glue to the side, like Ashley Giles was in 2005.
He supplements the attack perfectly and he is a threat, spinning the ball into the left-hander but also being able to get it to drift to take the outside edge, like we saw with his dismissal of Jaiswal. He looks the part.
Bye to my books
There comes a time when you have to let go. Over the years I have collected old cricket books, mainly by Neville Cardus, but some by Frank Woolley, Godfrey Evans, A.C. MacLaren and even Don Bradman.
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