ENGLAND endured a miserable opening to the day/night third Test against India today, crumbling to 112 all out before watching the hosts reach 99 for three in response.

Joe Root won the toss at 2pm local time in Ahmedabad but that was as good as it got for the tourists, who were dismantled in less than 50 overs before failing to recreate the same havoc when they got the pink SG ball in hand.

With much of the pre-match talk concerning the uncertainty over the “twilight” period and how hard it might be to bat when the natural light gave way, England lost their first eight wickets before the ring of LED lamps at the newly named Narendra Modi Stadium were even switched on.

They were all out soon after for their worst first-innings total in India – lowering a mark they set last week in Chennai by another 22 – with Zak Crawley’s elegant 53 the only note of resistance. With 10 stylish boundaries, his knock was an oasis of calm for England in an otherwise slipshod batting display.

India were just 13 short at the close, and England – visibly frustrated to have appeals ignored by third umpire Chettithody Shamshuddin’s – will hope for a better day when play resumes at 9am GMT.

The third Test is free to watch on Channel 4