England crush India in 2nd Test

NOTTINGHAM, England, Aug 1: Tim Bresnan took four wickets as India capitulated to 68 for six in pursuit of a world record victory target of 478 in the second test against England on Monday.

Bresnan completed figures of four for 16 from eight overs in the afternoon session on the fourth day to put England on the brink of victory and a 2-0 lead in the series.

Sachin Tendulkar, seeking his 100th international century, was 35 not out and Harbhajan Singh on 10 at tea.

England, bidding for their sixth straight series victory, need to win by two clear tests to topple India at the top of the world rankings.

India lost the key wicket of Rahul Dravid (6) before lunch and another experienced batsman in VVS Laxman followed him 12 balls after the interval. Rookie opener Abinav Mukund (3), Suresh Raina (1), Yuvraj Singh (8) and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (0) were the other victims.

Dravid, who scored 117 in the first innings following his century at Lord’s, edged a ball from Stuart Broad to keeper Matt Prior. Laxman was bowled by a James Anderson delivery that swung into him and left him to take his off stump.

Mukund survived a “king pair” when Bresnan dropped him at second slip off Anderson’s first ball of the innings. But having endured 41 balls he fended an uncomfortable Bresnan bouncer to Andrew Strauss at first slip.

Raina was peppered with a barrage of short-pitched bowling as England clearly felt he was vulnerable and he vindicated their strategy by top-edging a hook off Bresnan to substitute Scott Elstone at fine leg.

Yuvraj almost exited earlier when England celebrated his wicket, but the left-hander survived a review when replays showed a deflection to Prior from Broad’s bowling came off his elbow.

He did not remain much longer, though, failing to handle another Bresnan bouncer and spooning the ball up to Alastair Cook at short gully.

The score plummeted to 55 for six when Dhoni played no stroke to his first delivery and was lbw to a Bresnan inswinger. Bresnan’s hat-trick ball to Harbhajan was a full toss that was hit for four.

England were bowled out for 544 in their second innings before lunch after Bresnan plundered a rapid 90, Prior made 73 and Broad 44. Ian Bell hit a stylish 159 on Sunday having received a controversial reprieve from a run out when on 137.