James Anderson led the way as England put India in big trouble on a stop-start second day in the rain-ravaged Lord’s Test.

After a first-day washout, Joe Root chose to bowl under increasing cloud cover.

It looked a good call as India stumbled to 15 for three, thanks to two morning wickets from Anderson and then a hapless run-out as India got into another pickle off his bowling.

Only 8.3 overs were possible in this second Specsavers Test before mid-afternoon, but by then England’s all-time leading wicket-taker needed only another four to become the first in history to reach 100 at the Home of Cricket.

With the fifth delivery of the match, Anderson made short work of a scoreless Murali Vijay – who pushed towards mid-on only to lose his off-bail to a perfect outswinger.

He was at it again in his fourth over as KL Rahul became his second victim, edging behind on the forward-defence to one that just held its impeccable line.

There were only 14 more deliveries between forecast heavy showers, but that was enough for Cheteshwar Pujara to be run out after pushing for a single to point and then ending up stranded almost at the same end as Virat Kohli after his captain suddenly decided to retreat.