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29-Jul-2014 17:41:00 GMT
England v India, 3rd Investec Test, Ageas Bowl

Dhoni Fights But England Still on Top

Southampton: James Anderson and Stuart Broad both took three wickets as England continued to dominate India in the third Test.

The tourists began day three on 25-1 at Southampton but struggled to build a partnership as six of their batsmen were dismissed between 19 and 39.

Ajinkya Rahane (54) and Rohit Sharma (28) added 74 for the fifth wicket but both fell to Moeen Ali just before tea.

Captain Mahendra Dhoni (50 not out) helped his side to 323-8 at close of play, still 246 behind.

In an improved display from the attack as a whole, Stuart Broad claimed three wickets, James Anderson added two to the one he took on day two and Moeen Ali two of his own.

Ajinkya Rahane, who should have been given out on eight, resisted for 54, while Mahendra Dhoni remained unbeaten on 50.

However, on a blameless pitch, India did little to help themselves, with all of the top order who batted on Tuesday falling after passing 20.

That is to take nothing away from an England bowling unit that has so often been below par this summer, none more so than in the second Test defeat at Lord's which handed the tourists a 1-0 series lead.

Bowling a consistent full length to find movement in the air and off the pitch, and sparingly using hostile short deliveries, Anderson, Broad and Chris Woakes impressed.

Spinner Moeen chipped in as Rohit Sharma (28) and Rahane gifted their wickets before tea, while only Chris Jordan was regularly wayward.

On a scorching day, there were periods that looked ominous for England as Murali Vijay (35), Virat Kohli (39), Rahane, Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja made accomplished starts.

And, later in the day, Anderson swung the second new ball into the pads of Jadeja to end a counter-attacking 31.

Broad, overlooked in favour of Woakes first up, eventually arrived to take two wickets in the morning session.

First, a bumper that followed Cheteshwar Pujara took a glove through to give Jos Buttler his first catch as a Test wicketkeeper.

Then Vijay, India's highest scorer of the series and again looking dangerous, attempted to leave an outswinger that hit the bat and bounced down on to the stumps.

Brief scores
England -
569/7d (Bell 167, Ballance 156, Cook 95, Buttler 85)
India - 323/8 (Rahane 54, Dhoni 50*, Anderson 3-52, Broad 3-65)
Status - India trail by 246 runs


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