England world's No 1 Test team as India is beaten
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India's Gautam Gambhir (2nd L) edges a catch to England's Graeme
Swann (R) off the bowling of James Anderson (not pictured)
during the fourth day of the third test match between England
and India at the Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham, Central
England on August 13, 2011. (AFP PHOTO)
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BIRMINGHAM, England, Aug 13, 2011 (AFP) - England became the world's
number one Test side as they beat India by an innings and 242 runs to
win the third Test at Edgbaston here on Saturday.
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England's James Anderson celebrates after taking the wicket of
India's V.V.S. Laxman (R) during the fourth day of the third
test match between England and India at the Edgbaston cricket
ground in Birmingham, Central England on August 13, 2011. AFP
PHOTO) |
England's victory gave them an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the four-match
series and meant they replaced India at the top of the ICC's Test
Championship table after winning this series by the required two-match
margin.
It is the first time England have topped the Test table since its
creation in 2003.
England piled up a massive 710 for seven declared -- their highest
Test innings total for 73 years -- that featured Alastair Cook's
career-best 294.
That was in reply to an India first innings total of 224 where
England seamers Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan took four wickets apiece.
Fast-medium bowler James Anderson then took four for 85 as India were
dismissed for a second innings 244, with the tourists much vaunted
batsmen still to make 300 this series.
England won with more than a day to spare for the second match in
succession after their 319-run triumph at Trent Bridge. India captain
Mahendra Singh Dhoni top-scored in his side's second innings with an
unbeaten 74. Only Sachin Tendulkar, who made 40, offered much top-order
resistance before his latest bid to become the first batsman to score an
unprecedented 100 international hundreds ended in unlucky fashion when
he was run-out backing-up.
The fourth and final Test starts at The Oval on Thursday.
Anderson took four for 35 as India collapsed to 116 for six at lunch
on the third day of the third Test, still 370 runs adrift of making
England bat again.
England were now on course for a second successive win inside four
days and a victory that would give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead in this
four-match series. Only Sachin Tendulkar offered much resistance
Saturday with 40 before his latest quest to score an unprecedented 100th
international hundred ended in unlucky fashion when he was run-out
backing up. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was nine not out at lunch
and Amit Mishra unbeaten on 16.
The tourists resumed on 35 for one after Alastair Cook's Test-best
294 had propelled England to a massive 710 for seven declared -- their
highest Test innings total for 73 years.
SCOREBOARD
INDIA - 1ST INNINGS 224
ENGLAND - 1ST INNINGS
710-7 declared
INDIA - 2ND INNINGS
(overnight 35-1)
G. Gambhir c Swann b Anderson 14
V. Sehwag c Strauss b Anderson 00
R. Dravid c Prior b Anderson 18
S. Tendulkar run out 40
V.V.S. Laxman c Prior b Anderson 02
S. Raina lbw b Swann 10
M.S. Dhoni not out 74
A. Mishra c Broad b Swann 22
P. Kumar c Bopara b Broad 40
I. Sharma lbw b Broad 00
S. Sreesanth c Pietersen b Bresnan 05
Extras (lb-6, w-7, b-6) 19
Total (all out, 55.3 overs) 244
Fall of wickets: 1-3 2-35 3-40 4-56 5-87 6-89 7-130 8-205 9-221 10-244.
Bowling: Anderson 18-3-85-4, Broad 12-4-28-2 (2w), Bresnan 10.3-3-19-1, Swann 13-1-88-2 (1w), Pietersen 2-0-12-0. |
