Test Match Breakfast takes a look at some of the biggest issues around cricket during England’s huge first Test against India at Headingley. India dominated day one, racking up 359 for three with Shubman Gill scoring an unbeaten century on his first day as Test captain.
Ahead of day two, DAVID COVERDALE discusses Yashasvi Jaiswal rise from child entrepreneur to swashbuckling opener, reveals when Mark Wood is likely to return and explains just why Ben Stokes elected to field.
Jaiswal goes from street snacks to sweet shots
Yashasvi Jaiswal starred on the first day of this eagerly awaited Test series.
The 23-year-old India opener is one of the most exciting talents in world cricket — and also has one of the most compelling back stories.
At the age of 12, Jaiswal made the bold decision to move from his rural state of Uttar Pradesh to the cricketing mecca of Mumbai to chase his dream.
Yashasvi Jaiswal moved to Mumbai aged 12 to follow his dream of playing international cricket
The opener has hit three centuries in his six matches against England at an average of 90.33
Ben Stokes celebrates after eventually removing Jaiswal for 101 on day one at Headingley
However, he had nowhere to live so slept in a groundsman’s tent on the Azad Maidan sportsground. To earn pocket money, he sold panipuri — a deep-fried snack filled with potatoes, onions and chickpeas.
He was eventually found by a local coach named Jwala Singh, who gave him a place to live and took him under his wing.
Jaiswal made his Test debut against West Indies two years ago, smashing 171 in his maiden knock.
England were already well aware of the left-hander’s abilities after he compiled back-to-back double hundreds against them in India last year.
But Jaiswal’s century at Headingley on Friday served as a reminder of the tough task the home bowlers will have to oust the opener this summer.
Paceman Wood eyes speedy return from knee injury
On a tough day for England’s bowling attack, there was at least one bit of good news.
Mark Wood had been expected to miss the entire Test summer after having surgery on his injured left knee in March.
Mark Wood (left, with the Lions earlier this month) hopes to return for the fifth Test match
England could have done with Wood’s raw pace as they toiled on a flat deck on day one
Jofra Archer, meanwhile, will have a red ball in his hand again as he returns to Sussex duty
But the 35-year-old quick revealed on Friday that he is now back bowling in the nets and hopes to feature in the fifth Test against India, which starts on July 31.
‘Rehab is going well,’ said Wood. ‘I have just started bowling, very lightly, but I am on the comeback trail now officially.
‘I am hoping still to play a part in this series. I am still targeting maybe the last Test.
‘Anything before that is probably a bit too soon. The last Test I might not get there, but at the minute that is still my focus, that I might play a part.’
Wood was speaking to BBC Test Match Special, who he is working for at Headingley. His possible return is a major boost for England, who hope to have their full battery of fast bowlers fit for the Ashes tour of Australia.
Fellow paceman Jofra Archer is expected to play in Sussex’s County Championship match at Durham starting on Sunday, with an eye on making his England comeback in the second or third Test.
Hundred reasons to send Bethell back to Warwickshire
Archer will not be the only England star making a rare County Championship appearance this weekend.
Jacob Bethell, who came on as a sub on day one, will now be released back to Warwickshire
Many thought the 21-year-old should have played in the first Test ahead of Ollie Pope (left)
Sam Cook, who made his Test debut against Zimbabwe this month, also returns to his county
Jacob Bethell, who missed out on a return to the Test team in favour of Ollie Pope, has been released by England to play for Warwickshire against Somerset on Sunday.
It will be the 21-year-old’s first red-ball match since he featured for England in New Zealand in December and he will be aiming to make his first professional hundred.
Bowler Sam Cook, who made his Test debut against Zimbabwe earlier this month, has also been allowed to leave Headingley to play for his county Essex.
The thrill of the chase convinced Ben Stokes to bowl
As the old saying goes here at Headingley, you look up not down when deciding what to do at the toss. Well, given there was not a cloud in the sky when Ben Stokes called correctly at 10.30am on Friday, more than a few eyebrows were raised when he chose to stick India in.
There was, though, method in his madness. The last six Test matches at Headingley have all been won by the team that has bowled first — and five of those have been England victories.
When India last played a Test here in 2021, they won the toss, batted first and were bowled out for 78 before going on to lose by an innings.
A fitting tribute to victims of Ahmedabad plane crash
England and India players wore black armbands on Friday as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash last week in Ahmedabad.
Captain Ben Stokes may have been swayed to bowl first by Headingley’s recent Test history
Both England and India wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the Air India plane crash last week in Ahmedabad
A moment’s silence was also impeccably observed prior to the respective national anthems on the first morning of the series at Headingley.
Marnus pays the price for Australia’s Lord’s defeat
Australia have sent an SOS to a Yorkshireman as they begin their rebuild ahead of the Ashes.
Following last week’s defeat by South Africa in the World Test Championship final, the Aussies have dropped Marnus Labuschagne for their first Test against West Indies next week.
Labuschagne opened against the Proteas and scored just 17 and 22 to continue a lean spell, in which he has not hit a Test century since the Ashes in 2023.
With Steve Smith also missing against the Windies through injury, Australia have decided to call up Leeds-born batsman Josh Inglis and teenage opener Sam Konstas.
Inglis made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in January and scored 102 batting at No 5 in his first innings, before a duck in the next match.
The 29-year-old played in Yorkshire’s youth teams before moving to Australia with his family when he was 14.
Marnus Labuschagne looked out of sorts during Australia’s defeat by South Africa at Lord’s
Josh Inglis will now have his chance to stake a claim for a spot in next winter’s Ashes series
Inglis memorably hit 120 against England in the Champions Trophy in February — and now looks set to have another crack at the country of his birth in the Ashes.
Bumble is still as busy as a bee
Mail Sport columnist David Lloyd remains much-missed on Sky Sports’ TV coverage. But Bumble is back on commentary duties during this Test series with India for talkSPORT.
In a first this summer, the commercial radio station is broadcasting ball-by-ball commentary on its YouTube channel for overseas listeners.
Of course, you can also read Bumble’s diary of the day on this website and in the Daily Mail newspaper.
Duckett is the height of fashion in new ad
If you have tickets for this Test match and happen to purchase a match programme, take a look at the back page. Never has Ben Duckett appeared so tall!
The diminutive England opener is famously just 5ft 7in. Yet in an advert for England’s 2025-26 Castore kit, Duckett is pictured shoulder to shoulder with the 6ft 2in Gus Atkinson and the 6ft Lauren Bell. Amazing what a bit of editing can do!
