India wrap up third Test win to set up close series finale

Thursday, 23 August 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

India’s Ajinkya Rahane takes a catch to dismiss England’s James Anderson giving India victory in the third test - Action Images via Reuters

NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters): India wrapped up with a victory in the third Test against England on Wednesday, picking up the final wicket needed to secure a 203-run victory at Trent Bridge.

The victory narrows England’s lead in the five-Test series to 2-1 ahead of next Thursday’s fourth Test at Southampton.

India needed just 17 balls to get the final wicket with off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin removing James Anderson who gloved a catch to Ajinkya Rahane.

England ended their second innings 317 all out after Jos Buttler’s maiden Test century on Tuesday provided some cheer in what was a poor batting display against fine Indian seam bowling.

It was an excellent all-round performance from India as they bounced back in some style from defeats in the opening two tests.

Skipper Virat Kohli was named man of the match after knocks of 97 and 103 for the tourists.

“The victory was much needed, and to have a performance that was so clinical is pleasing for me as captain and the management. All in all, it was the complete Test match for us,” said Kohli. “There was no need to change anything. At Birmingham, it was close. As a batting group, we spoke that if we step up, we will definitely be on top.

“That is what we did. We dominated this game because we got runs on the board. The bowling group was eager to take those 20 wickets again. It was about the batsmen and what we could do to give them that cushion.”

India’s seam attack deserves plenty of credit, though, with Hardik Pandya taking five wickets in the first innings and Jasprit Bumrah doing the same when England batted again.

While England retain the advantage in the series, their top order batting was a major disappointment, and the only aspect to provide skipper Joe Root with any satisfaction was the 169-run partnership on Tuesday between Buttler and Ben Stokes.

“That partnership from Jos and Ben is a real lesson to our team on how to play Test cricket. They adapted to the situation and built the partnership, looking very clear on how they were going to score the runs. We need to make sure that when we turn up at Southampton, we score 400 or more in the first innings,” said Root. England Coach Trevor Bayliss said the first innings collapse to 161 all out was the decisive aspect in the Test and urged his batsmen to be wiser with their shot selection.

“We obviously lost that game on day two with the way we batted, but I’m very happy with the way the guys applied themselves in that partnership yesterday (Tuesday),” he said.

“We hope that partnership will be the catalyst for going forward. The guys we have in the team go hard at the ball.We are working on thatconstantly.You can still play shots with good footwork, but it’s about playing the situation.”