Dream start for Swann

The tourists' superb display with bat and ball was typified by debutant Swann, who became only the second bowler in Test history - following Richard Johnson's feat against Zimbabwe at Chester-le-Street in 2003 - to claim two wickets in his maiden over.

Swann's achievement in claiming lbw appeals against Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid reduced India to 37 for three in reply to England's 316, and by the close of the second day they had slumped to 155 for six on a pitch showing signs of wear.

Nottinghamshire off-spinner Swann had been handed the ball by captain Kevin Pietersen for the final over before tea and did not start promisingly, his first delivery cut powerfully for four by opener Gambhir.

He then had an appeal for bat-pad dismissed with his next delivery before striking with his next, winning an lbw appeal when Gambhir offered no stroke.

Confidence lifted by that breakthrough, Swann struck again three balls later to win another lbw appeal against Rahul Dravid, who continued a dismal run of only one half-century in his last 18 Test innings.

Facing a major first-innings deficit, India were partly revived by a 61-run stand between Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman which threatened to turn the momentum in India's favour. But two wickets in a spell of six deliveries put England in control.

Laxman drove Monty Panesar back down the wicket and England's left-arm spinner clung on to a sharp return catch. Andrew Flintoff then removed Tendulkar with his first ball when the master batsman for once mis-timed his forward lunge and also gave a return catch.

Flintoff also played a part in Yuvraj Singh's dismissal, clinging on to the left-hander's drive at second slip after he attempted to play aggressively against Steve Harmison.

England had earlier frustrated India for 38.4 overs after resuming on 229 for five, with Matt Prior guiding the lower-order resistance with an unbeaten 53. Nightwatchman James Anderson, who claimed the wicket Virender Sehwag when India started their innings, scored a determined 19.