Ian Bell’s third 50 in as many matches was the cornerstone of England’s 42-run win against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Monday as they took a 2-1 lead in the seven-match series. Bell, on his Warwickshire home ground, made 79 in England’s total of 281 for eight.
Sourav Ganguly (72) and captain Rahul Dravid (56) gave India the upper hand during a third-wicket stand of 104 in 115 balls. But when both senior batsmen fell in quick succession to Chris Tremlett, England had renewed hope and India were bowled out for 239 with 11 balls left.
Tremlett finished with two for 57 and James Anderson took three for 32.
Bell’s innings followed scores of 126 not out in England’s 104-run series-opening win at the Rose Bowl and his 64 during India’s nine run victory in Bristol on Friday.
India’s spinners, who had taken important wickets in Bristol, did so again at Edgbaston with off-break bowler Ramesh Powar leading the way with two for 45.
England’s cause wasn’t helped by the late withdrawal of hard-hitting all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas, fresh from a career-best 52, with a right-hand injury sustained during the warm-up.
The combination of England’s superior fielding and sharper running between the wickets kept the runs down early on and, come the 11th over, India were 36 for two.
Sachin Tendulkar, upper-cutting Anderson, was caught by Paul Collingwood in his specialist position of backward point. Then Dinesh Karthik, surprisingly promoted to number three, went for nought when he pushed Stuart Broad to Alastair Cook at cover.
However, Karthik’s exit brought in Dravid, man-of-the-match last time with a dashing 92 not out. Dravid square-cut fast-bowler Broad and forced him off the back foot for four.
Tremlett had proved expensive on Friday and his first two overs in this match cost 20 runs before he was replaced by spinner Monty Panesar, controversially omitted at Bristol but now in for the injured Andrew Flintoff.
Dravid hoisted medium-pacer Collingwood high over long-on for the first six of the innings in the 25th over and next ball wristily turned him behind square for a four to the delight of the India fans in the 21 000-strong crowd.
Despite giving Ganguly a 26-run head start, Dravid was the first of the pair to reach 50, in 51 balls with a six and seven fours. Ganguly got there shortly afterwards, off 82 deliveries.
Dravid’s sparkling innings ended when, trying to turn Tremlett legside, he played on. Then 140 for three became 149 for four when Ganguly’s steer was well caught by diving wicketkeeper Matt Prior. That left Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s last recognised batsmen, at the crease.
Dhoni, though, could only manage 13 before he cut Anderson to Collingwood and India were 190 for five in the 39th over.
Tremlett took two for 37 in his six-over second spell before he was replaced by Panesar, whom Yuvraj slog-swept for a huge six.
But Yuvraj, who needed someone to stay with him, then saw Powar pull Collingwood to Bell at mid-wicket and four balls later the same combination accounted for left-hander Piyush Chawla.
Yuvraj was then run out for 45, sent back by Zaheer Khan, and at 214 for eight the game was up for India.
Earlier, teenage leg-spinner Chawla enjoyed more success against Kevin Pietersen. The 18-year-old, who bowled England’s star batsman second ball in Bristol, got him again when Pietersen, on nine, played all round a googly and was stumped by Dhoni.
The series continues at Old Trafford on Thursday. — Sapa-AFP