Bess spins England into strong position in Chennai

Dom Bess took centre stage with four wickets as England hammered home their advantage in the first Test against India.

The hosts responded to an imposing first-innings score of 578 by scrapping to 6-257 at stumps, with Bess running through a high-class middle order.

Capturing India captain Virat Kohli at bat-pad for just 11 was the off-spinner's moment of the day - and probably his career thus far - and he also ended a thrilling counterattack from Rishabh Pant for 91.

Bess relied on good fielding and good fortune too, with Joe Root taking a brilliant one-handed catch to see off Ajinkya Rahane. Cheteshwar Pujara was left aghast when his pull shot looped to mid-wicket via a huge deflection off the cowering Ollie Pope.

Bess ended with figures of 4-55, another significant return for a player who is clearly learning on the job as a Test cricketer but regularly finds a way to meet the challenges in front of him. 

Pant had counter attacked England's bowling with success, hitting nine fours and five sixes, but fell short of a century when his lofted hit in the 57th over was caught at deep cover by Jack Leach.

"He's (Pant) a phenomenal talent. We saw him in the Australia Tests, and that ability," Bess said. 

"It was a very bold innings."

With Jofra Archer earlier accounting for both openers with the new ball, England walked off at stumps 321 ahead and with a big chance to open up the road to a series-opening victory.