Hameed's maiden 50 puts England in charge

RAJKOT, India (AP):

Teenager Haseeb Hameed hit his maiden Test fifty yesterday as the first Test between India and England in Rajkot appeared to be heading for a draw.

The 19-year-old Hameed smashed five fours and his first Test six to reach 62 not out with England at 114-0 in their second innings at stumps on day four. Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 46.

England have a 163-run lead after earlier dismissing India for 488, offering the tourists a slim chance of victory if they try to score quickly today.

Hameed is the third youngest English batsman to hit a Test fifty. It was the first half-century by an English teenager since Dennis Compton in 1937.

"He has worked hard in the nets and is a great talent. He has a good head on his shoulders and he showed that today," teammate Adil Rashid said. "Hopefully he can carry on tomorrow."

Ravindra Jadeja (0-33) shared the new ball with Mohammed Shami (0-12), but the ploy didn't work. Ravichandran Ashwin (0-32) had a leg - before - wicket shout reviewed against Hameed.

Earlier, helped by Rashid's 4-114, England got a first-innings lead of 49 runs. After lunch, Moeen Ali (2-85) and Rashid took two wickets each to wrap up the Indian lower order.

caught behind

Rashid dismissed Wriddhiman Saha, caught behind for 35 runs, and Ravindra Jadeja (12), who was caught at short leg. Saha put on 64 runs for the seventh wicket with Ashwin.

This was the crucial partnership of the day, as it allowed India to eat up some time after they had saved the follow on.

Ashwin completed his seventh Test half-century off 111 balls, and put on 29 runs for the 10th wicket with Shami, who was dropped by Cook off Stuart Broad (1-78).

India wobbled in the morning after starting from its overnight 319-4. They lost Ajinkya Rahane (13) and Virat Kohli (40) in the space of 17 balls.

Rahane was bowled off Zafar Ansari (2-77), while Kohli stepped on to his stumps pulling Rashid, and was out hit wicket.