/ 8 September 2007

England beat India by seven wickets

England beat India by seven wickets to win the seventh one-day international at Lord’s on Saturday and complete a 4-3 series win.

England, chasing a modest 188 for victory, collapsed to 10-2, but Ian Bell (36) and Kevin Pietersen (71 not-out) led the recovery.

Life would have been simpler still if Pietersen hadn’t run out Bell, calling him for a quick single before changing his mind and leaving Bell stranded.

Collingwood (64 not out) though came to the crease and he and Pietersen saw England home with nearly 14 overs to spare.

India’s innings had started badly and got progressively worse.

Sourav Ganguly was dismissed by James Anderson for just 15. Anderson had already hit Ganguly on the helmet, before he had him caught at slip.

Tendulkar (30) never really got going, and only a brisk 50 from Mahendra Dhoni gave India a respectable total.

RP Singh then gave India a great start, taking two wickets in three balls in his first over, but Pietersen and Collingwood held their nerve to see England home. – Sapa-AFP