sport news BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Jimmy Anderson proves his eternal class for England on day ... trends now

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India's Rishabh Pant halted England's momentum with 146 off just 111 balls on day one of the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston.

The visitors were in trouble at 98 for five, before Pant crashed 19 fours and four sixes in a remarkable stand to help his side to 338 for seven at stumps. 

Sportsmail's DAVID LLOYD picks out his talking points from the first day of action at Edgbaston. 

A quick recap as to how this very odd, one off-game which is also part of a series came about. 

Well, the cancellation of the original through India's non-appearance at Emirates Old Trafford would have cost the ECB £40million, so they negotiated a postponement instead. 

And a reminder as to the official reason given for the call-off last September - India's reserve physio tested positive for Covid. Of course, it might also have been significant that some IPL franchise owners wanted their players back….

The retention of Sam Billings behind the stumps was a good decision in my book as it released Jonny Bairstow to do his thing. 

That thing being marmalizing bowling attacks. Billings is a dasher with the bat, more than adequate with the gloves, and so fits into this England squad perfectly.