MUMBAI: South African-born batsman Keaton Jennings scored a stunning century on his debut as England made a solid start to their must-win fourth Test against India in Mumbai on Thursday.
The left-hander — who switched allegiance to England to boost his international career prospects — made 112 as the visitors ended the day on 288-5 at the Wankhede Stadium.
Jennings, 24, was almost caught on zero runs and took until the 12th ball to get off the mark, but when he did there was no stopping the tall opener.
He grew increasingly confident in the middle as the day progressed with an array of exemplary shot-making, including a trio of audacious reverse sweeps that went for fours.
It was one of those sweeps that brought up his ton mid-way through the afternoon session, with Jennings punching the air in delight as he celebrated a debut to remember.
Jennings, who was only called up to the squad after Haseeb Hameed was injured in the third Test, put on a partnership of 99 with fellow opener and captain Alastair Cook.
Cook was stumped on 46 by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel after swinging at a Ravindra Jadeja delivery but Jennings held his nerve and plotted his way to 65 by lunch.
He outlasted Joe Root who could only make 21 before he was caught at slip by Indian captain Virat Kohli off a spinning Ravichandran Ashwin delivery.
Moeen Ali steadied the ship, helping guide Jennings to his ton and scoring a half century of his own before foolishly getting caught out.
