Manchester, July 25 -- A century partnership between Ollie Pope and Joe Root brought England within the touching distance of India's first innings score as the Three Lions finished the first session with a score in excess of 300 runs on day three of the fourth Manchester Test on Friday.

At the end of the first session, England was 332/2, with Pope (70*) and Root (63*) unbeaten. They trail by 26 runs.

At the start of the first session, England was 225/2, with Pope (20*) and Root (11*) unbeaten.

England started off the day with a positive intent, with Mohammed Siraj leaking some runs and India missing out on a run-out chance to remove Root. Eventually, the duo reached their 50-run partnership.

With a fine shot for four against Bumrah, P...