India vs Eng: England beat India by 7 wickets at Eden Gardens, take 2-1 series lead

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Agencies: Kolkata, Dec 09 2012, 09:28 IST

A listless India succumbed to their second successive humiliating defeat on home soil has England overcame a few hiccups to clinch the third cricket Test with an emphatic seven-wicket victory and take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four match series here today.

Needing 41 runs to win the match after dismissing India for 247 in the second innings, the visitors lost three quick wickets to add a tinge of excitement to an otherwise lop-sided contest before cruising home with more than two sessions to spare.

Captain Alastair Cook (1), Jonathan Trott (3) and Kevin Pietersen (0) were out cheaply but Ian Bell (28 not out) held his nerve to take the team to the victory target at the Eden Gardens.

Bell took a single off R Ashwin to bring about England's moment of triumph, triggering of scenes of celebrations in the dressing room as the players hugged each other and took a round of the stadium.

With another resounding victory, England kept themselves on course for their first series win on Indian soil in 28 years since David Gower-led team won a series 2-1 in the 1984-85 series.

Though the Indian bowlers took three wickets in the second innings, they looked completely ineffective in the first innings unlike the English bowlers who exploited the conditions far better.

After the humiliating 10-wicket defeat in Mumbai, the hosts once again seemed clueless in their own den with neither batting nor bowling clicking, raising questions on whether some players need to be changed.

The two teams will now travel

... contd.

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Reader's Comments (6)| Post a Comment

Request to Dhoni Resign from test

Vicky | 09-Dec-2012Reply | Forward

Now its time to MS dhoni to resign from test match captaincy.He does not have that class in the test mentally & performance.He mind get stuck in the test matches.So pls.............

Complete Team Revamp

Pochiraju Sivaram | 09-Dec-2012Reply | Forward

It's right time to take bold decision by dropping all seniors once for all since they consider themselves bigger than the team and that they have become too much money minded, egoistic and lack application and dedication. Ashwin should be taken as batsman only. Amit Mishra should be selected. Fast bowlers bowling consistently with 140 Kmph and bowling proper line and length, who also can bowl in swingers and out swingers apart from bowling reverse swing should be selected. Proper fielding and fitness of the players also should considered vital for the selection.

Time for change

Sudhir Gowda | 09-Dec-2012Reply | Forward

Indian cricket board has to change its approach to the game. It's main focus over the last decade is on making money thru one days and T20 matches and not building a team for the future and promoting the game. It has let few players become Demi-gods and mint money and they refuse to retire. High time corporate India and politicians leave the game in hands of professional and former players. Remove non-performing players no matter their past reputation and revive game.