Bell helps himself to a couple of boundaries in a Pankaj Singh over. 

England will be happy with the proceedings on the opening day. 

They end Day One on 247 for two. Gary Ballance is unbeaten on a spectacular 104 with Ian Bell (on 16) for company, the two having added 34 for the third wicket so far.

Ian Bell replaces his captain at the crease. The second new ball is taken in the 81st over. Pankaj Singh to bowl. He bowls a good first over with the new ball. 

A couple off Shami takes Ballance to 99. A boundary to third man in the next ball helps him complete his third Test hundred, and second in succession after the 100 at Lord's.

Pankaj Singh replaces Shami (15-2-51-1) in the attack in the 71st over. He gives away just a single. 

A boundary by Ballance (his 11th), off Singh, helps raise the 150-run partnership for the second wicket. 

Kumar replaces Singh (15-2-46-0) in the attack in the 75th over. Dhoni is smartly using his bowlers in shortly spells. 

And the strategy works after a long time. Jadeja has Cook (95) caught by Dhoni. He looks unhappy. Replays suggest he didn't nick it.

The England captain is unlucky to miss out on a hundred. His 231-ball knock was inclusive of nine boundaries and he helped Ballance add 158 runs for the second wicket.

The home team continue with their consolidation in the final session. 

A single off Jadeja by Cook helps England reach the 200-run mark in the 70th over. 

With the regular bowlers failing to impress Dhoni gets Rohit Sharma back into the attack, replacing Kumar (18-5-50-0) in the 49 overs. 

A single off the third ball helps Cook (on 70) get past David Gower as England's third highest scorer in Test cricket. 

A single by Cook off Jadeja helps England get to the 150-run mark in the 52nd over. 

A single by Ballance, off Jadeja, helps complete the 100-run partnership for the second wicket. It's been a stand that has helped consolidate the England innings considerably.

A single off Jadeja helps Ballance complete a well-deserved half century, his third in Test cricket. The 24-year-old has been the man in form, with 71 in Nottingham and 110 at Lord's. 

He celebrates in with a couple of boundaries in a Pankaj Singh over. Shikhar Dhawan to bowl the final over before tea. 

England haven't lost a wicket in the second session. They go into tea at 186 for one. Cook is unbeaten on 82 and Ballance on 72.

A boundary by Ballance (his second), off Shami over backward point, followed by a single helps England get to the 100-run mark in the 35th over.

A boundary by Cook, off Singh, helps raise the 50-run partnership for the second wicket.

Kumar replaces Shami (12-2-41-1) in the attack in the 37th over. Ballance welcomes him with a boundary past mid-on. 

Jadeja replaces Singh (11-2-28-0) in the attack in the 40th over. 

Pankaj Singh starts proceedings after lunch. Ballance hits a boundary off the fifth ball. 

It's Shami from the other end. Cook pulls the fourth ball through the midwicket for his sixth boundary, and one that helps him reach his 36th Test fifty. 

It's also Cook's first significant contribution of the series. And its probably come in at a good time for his team.

Gary Ballance is the new man in. The 24-year-old has had a good start to his international career, with Test hundreds at Lord's against both Sri Lanka and India. He also made 71 in Nottingham and averages almost 55 now. 

He edges Kumar, but it doesn't carry to Shikhar Dhawan at first slip. 

Rohit Sharma replaces Shami (9-1-29-1) in the attack in the 27th over. Cook smashes the fifth ball to the fence and gets to the 40s. The England captain gets another boundary in Jadeja's first over. 

England 78 for one at lunch. A good first session for the home team. Cook is unbeaten on 48.

Kumar is back in the attack, replacing Singh (6-1-13-0) in the 20th over. Cook smashes the fifth ball through covers for what is only his second boundary. 

Singh was unlucky as Jadeja dropped Cook (on 15) at third slip in the first ball off his third over. 

However, Jadeja makes amends a few overs later, catching Robson (26) at third slip off Shami. 

Robson's 59-ball innings was inclusive of four boundaries and he helped his captain add 55 runs for the opening wicket.

Cook and Robson have so far not looked very comfortable at the crease. More importantly, they have survived. 

Robson helps himself to a boundary each off Kumar and Singh. Shami replaces Kumar (7-3-15-0) in the attack in the 15th over. 

Meanwhile, Cook has surpassed Kevin Pietersen (8181) to become England's fourth highest run scorer in Tests. Only Graham Gooch (8900), Alec Stewart (8643) and David Gower (8231) have scored more for England in the longer format. 

Robson's fourth boundary, off Shami, followed by a couple helps England get past the 50-run mark in the 19th over.

The first bowling change for India happens in the eighth over, debutant Pankaj Singh coming in for Shami (3-013-0). He gives away just a single first up. 

Robson gets his first boundary in Kumar's fifth over, a drive through the covers.

Alastair Cook and Sam Robson open the batting for England and it is Bhuvneshwar Kumar first up for India. 

Cook edges the first ball, just short of second slip. What a start for India. Three runs off the first over.

Mohammed Shami to bowl with the second new ball. Four off the over.

The news is England has won the toss and elected to bat first at Southampton. 

Pankaj Singh makes his debut for India s Ishant Sharma is rested with an injury. 

Rohit Sharma is also back in the fold.

England has made three changes with Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan and Jos Buttler coming in.