London, July 22 (IANS) India coach Duncan Fletcher insisted that despite injury to Zaheer Khan, the first day of the 100th Test match against England at Lord's belonged to the visitors.

"From our point of view, we would have been happy with three wickets. Two indicated we could have bowled better lengths. With it swinging around a bit, it was hard for some of the bowlers to get used to that swing and get their lines right," said Fletcher.

"The lengths would have been better if they bowled a bit fuller but to suddenly come from where we have (the West Indies) and the game at Somerset, where it also didn't swing, meant it was difficult to readjust. They have probably realised those lengths were a little short."

Fletcher, who coached England from 1999-2007, praised Jonathan Trott, who scored an unbeaten half-century to take the hosts to 127 for two.

"Trott showed he is a quality batsman. He showed a calmness at the wicket and his statistics over the last year show he is a very good Test player," said Fletcher.

Fletcher said the match is pretty even.

"You want to make inroads as a bowling unit when you win the toss and we did well to combat that and play pretty well. We are happy with the situation we find ourselves in. I am really pleased to get through. I had a let-off once or twice. That's cricket."

Asked how did he feel in the away dressing room at Lord's, Fletcher said: "You have got to look at it from my point of view. My way is to get really involved in the team and if that happens you tend to forget about those things. I was involved in helping a team perform on the day and if emotions get in the way they wouldn't let you do the job you wanted to do."