England close in on victory

NGLAND were in sight of their first win in 11 Tests as they closed in on a series-levelling victory against India in Southampton yesterday.

At stumps on the fourth day of the third Test, India were 112-4, still needing 333 runs to make what would be a record 445 to win.

Renowned for their ability to play spin, India lost three wickets to Moeen Ali and Joe Root – both primarily batsmen and regarded as “part-time” off-break bowlers.

Ajinkya Rahane was 18 not out and Rohit Sharma, dropped on 5, was 6 not out.

The most that any side has made in the fourth innings to win a Test is the 418-7 by the West Indies against Australia in St John’s in 2002/03.

There was one concerning moment for England after play ended when paceman James Anderson, celebrating his 32nd birthday yesterday, was spoken to by the umpires after appearing to have had words with Rahane.

Anderson is already facing disciplinary action by the International Cricket Council after his bust-up with India’s Ravindra Jadeja during the drawn first Test at Trent Bridge, and could be banned from the rest of this series if a teleconference hearing tomorrow goes against him.

After Anderson took the two wickets needed to wrap up India’s first innings, England captain Alastair Cook opted against enforcing the followon.

England then made a brisk 205-4 before Cook declared.

The last thing that India needed early in their innings was a run-out.

Yet that was exactly what they got.

Shikhar Dhawan clipped the ball on to the on side, but Murali Vijay (12) failed to beat Stuart Broad’s underarm throw from short midwicket.

And 26-1 became 29-2 when Ali struck second ball to dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara (2) with the aid of a sharp slip catch by Chris Jordan.

After India had started to rebuild, Cook’s decision to bring on Root proved inspired when he dismissed the well-set Dhawan for 37.

Root produced a classic offbreak that turned away from the left-hander and found the outside edge, with Jordan holding another smart slip

Ecatch.

Ali then centre stage. He produced a ball that went straight on with the arm, and the struggling Virat Kohli (28) pushed hard, with England debutant wicketkeeper Jos Buttler holding the outside edge at the second attempt.

India were now 89-4 on another sunny day ideal for batting, and on an essentially good pitch.

And they would have been 102-5 had Anderson held a low, but catchable, return chance off Sharma.

India, 323-8 overnight in reply to England’s firstinnings 569-7 declared, were dismissed for 330.

Anderson took two wickets for one run in six balls to finish with 5-53 in 26.1 overs – the 16th time in 97 Tests he has taken five wickets in an innings.

He had India captain Mahendra Dhoni, top-edging a pull, caught behind for his overnight 50 by Buttler, before the same combination saw off Mohammed Shami.

Quick

found

himself

England then got the quick runs they wanted, with Cook sweeping left-arm spinner Jadeja for four to complete his second 50 of the match.

It was the first time that Cook, who made 95 in the first innings, had scored two fifties in a Test since his 96 and 106 against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in 2011.

Meanwhile Root, playing exactly the innings that England required, struck 13 runs in one Bhuvneshwar Kumar over.

He was eventually bowled by Jadeja for 56 off 41 balls with nine fours.

Left-handed opener Cook (70 not out) promptly declared after adding 99 in just 87 balls with Root.

India are 1-0 up in the fivematch series after their 95-run win in the second Test at Lord’s.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja would be allowed to appeal against a fine for his part in the incident involving Anderson, the ICC said yesterday.

All-rounder Jadeja was fined 50 percent of his match fee for misconduct.

It appeared that ICC regulations prevented Jadeja contesting his fine after match referee David Boon had downgraded his offence to level one under the ICC’s code of conduct.

However, in a statement yesterday the ICC said Jadeja would be allowed an appeal.

His case will be heard by retired judge Gordon Lewis at the same time as the Australian considers the more serious level-three charge against Anderson by India tomorrow.

Dhoni said on Saturday that Jadeja had been on the receiving end of “foul language” and physical assault. He added: “The beauty of level one is you cannot appeal against it. But the BCCI and the lawyers are working things out.” ICC chief executive David Richardson urged players on both sides to refrain from further public comment on the issue. – Sapa-AFP