COACH Peter Moores is backing England to bounce back from the opening day errors and battle their way back into contention in the crucial final npower Test.

Needing victory to preserve their unbeaten home Test series record stretching back to 2001, England struggled on the opening day with India taking advantage of good batting conditions to reach a commanding 316 for four.

England were not helped in their efforts by missing two key catches - including Sachin Tendulkar on 20 who went on to finish unbeaten on 48 - but Moores believes they are capable of bouncing back from their disappointing opening day.

"There are four days to go in the game, we have a new ball and we need to get a couple of wickets with it and put them under pressure," stressed Moores.

"There is a lot of cricket to be played, we will have to bowl well and field well and if we do and bat well - as we have seen in the past in all games of cricket, things can turn around pretty quickly."

England can console themselves with the fact that they were in a similar position against South Africa at the Oval in 2003, who reached 362 for four on the opening day only for England to bounce back and claim victory to level the series.

Momentum

Moores is hoping England can do the same again and insisted they are not far away from reclaiming the momentum from India should they get early wickets when play resumes this morning.

"It was a tough day at the office for the lads," he conceded. "It was a good toss to win, a good pitch and India played well, but we came back after a very tough first session.

"The target was to try to get three wickets in the first session, we didn't get that but the lads were ready for some hard work.

"We didn't expect to be able to bowl a side out in a day, it was just about keeping the runs down, but early wickets would give us a good morning."

India, chasing their first series victory on English soil since 1986, were understandably elated by their opening day despite suffering a major setback with Sourav Ganguly being given lbw by umpire Ian Howell to Paul Collingwood despite a massive inside edge just 10 overs before the close.

Opener Dinesh Karthik also seemed to be given out harshly nine runs short of his second Test century with television replays throwing doubts after Ryan Sidebottom successfully appealed for an edge behind.

But Karthik admitted he was out, stressing: "There was a small nick so there was no doubt about that and I was very disappointed I got out then."

Karthik refused to comment on Ganguly's dismissal, but echoed Moores' comments by conceding the early stages this morning could be crucial with Tendulkar and VVS Laxman at the crease.

"The first hour is going to be crucial for us," said Karthik. "The ball is new and we have two experienced batters out there for us and if we can get off to a good start I think any total is gettable."

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