England and India draw first test at Trent Bridge

Jimmy Anderson was named man-of-the-match for his fantastic all-round display (©GettyImages).

England resumed day five of the first Test against India hoping to capture early wickets to force an unlikely result and go 1-0 up in the series.

However, the game petered out into a predictable draw as the pitch finally beat both sides and emerged as the winner.

After each side had scored over 400 in their first innings the likelihood of a result was remote going into the final day. India resumed on their overnight 167-3 but it was England who had a glimmer of hope if they could capture early wickets. This is exactly what happened as England had a good morning session, taking three quick wickets to see India teetering on 184-6, just 145 runs ahead.

However, the Indian middle order rallied towards the end of the first session and then, in the second session, they took any chance England may have had of victory away from them as they batted themselves to safety on a still very docile pitch.

Two significant partnerships, firstly from Ravindra Jadeja and Stuart Binny, and then Binny and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, ensured England could not push for victory anymore. Both partnerships took the score on to 340 before Binny was finally dismissed for a well-made 78.

By tea England and India were resigned to a draw and therefore the final session proved to be a mere practice session. The only lingering question was whether Alastair Cook would be asked to bat again if India declared, or England bowled them out. In the end neither happened but Cook did bring himself and Gary Ballance on to bowl to protect his regular bowlers. Whilst Cook will not make a name for himself as a bowler Ballance showed some potential with his leg-spin. However, Cook did capture his maiden Test wicket when he dismissed Ishant Sharma caught down the leg side by Matt Prior.

In the end the captains decided to call it a day just after five o'clock with India on 391-9 and 15 overs remaining.

One bonus on the final day for England would be the bowling of Moeen Ali who enjoyed some bowling time and picked up three wickets in the Indian's second innings. This bowling will have done him and England the power of good. India themselves will be happy that their inexperienced side had battled well in what, for many of them, has been their first Test in England.

Both sides now move on to Lords for the start of the second Test match which begins on Thursday where hopefully the pitch will provide both batsmen and bowlers an equal chance of success.