England Have Their Tails Up

AHMEDABAD

England lead India by 131 runs with all their second innings wickets intactafter an enthralling third day in the second Test at Ahmedabad. Ashley Gilestook five wickets as India were bowled out for 291, despite a glittering centuryfrom Sachin Tendulkar and 75 from VVS Laxman. At the close England were 15without loss.

An expectant Ahmedabad crowd got an early taste of Tendulkar as RichardDawson was swept to the midwicket boundary in the first over of the morning.Dawson made way for Giles after just one over, but it was Matthew Hoggard whomade the breakthrough when Rahul Dravid was caught behind by Jamie Foster,playing an indeterminate stroke outside the off stump to leave India on 86 for3.

Sourav Ganguly's arrival prompted Nasser Hussain to call up Andy Flintoff,and the Lancastrian immediately obliged as the Indian captain edged a ball thatwas slanting across him to the safe hands of substitute Martyn Ball at firstslip.

As England's bowlers kept a tight line, Tendulkar and Laxman remained largelyon the defensive. But Tendulkar greeted the return of Dawson with boundaries inconsecutive overs, one driven exquisitely through extra cover, the other cutbehind square as the bowler dropped marginally short.

In pleasantly cool conditions and in front of the largest crowd of the gameso far at the Motera Stadium, Tendulkar completed a patient 50 by cuttingHoggard to the boundary backward of point. It was already a vital contribution,but the landmark signalled a change of tempo. India's hero now showed why he iswidely regarded as the world's premier batsmen, with a delightful display ofartistry.

Tendulkar's class shone through as he worked two Hoggard deliveries outsidethe off stump for boundaries between mid-on and midwicket. Hoggard's ruefulsmile was respectful as well as phlegmatic. It was the last over of his spell,but Dawson's re-introduction met with the sternest of receptions, as Tendulkardrove him imperiously over the long-on boundary.

As Tendulkar twinkled, Laxman was primarily supportive. The hundredpartnership came off 175 balls, with the taller man contributing just 23. To arapturous reception, Tendulkar then swung Hoggard away behind square leg toreach his 27th Test hundred. His second 50 had taken just 55 balls.

It took a rare blemish to dismiss him, as he drove Hoggard without quitegetting on top of the delivery. To England's delight Hussain held on to thecatch at the second attempt at mid-on. Virender Sehwag announced himself withsome wristy legside flicks, but Craig White soon won a marginal lbw decisionfrom umpire Jayaprakash as Sehwag was hit just above the knee-roll playing fromthe crease.

With the door now ajar, Ashley Giles wasted no time in kicking it open. Heproduced a gem of a delivery to dismiss Anil Kumble, bowled off stump as theball turned out of the rough around middle and leg. In Giles' next overHarbhajan drove recklessly to Flintoff at cover. Javagal Srinath was then caughtoff bat and pad by Mark Butcher at silly point.

Tinu Yohannan held an end up briefly as Laxman played some mighty strokesthrough midwicket, but India's innings ended on 291 when Laxman went for 75,trying the stroke once too often and holing out to Mark Butcher. Giles endedwith Test-best figures of five for 67.

As England batted for just three overs before the close, Marcus Trescothickwas fortunate to take four to fine leg from an inside edge off Yohannan. Anauthentic cut gleaned four more to third man, and England finished in firmcontrol of the match at 15 for no wicket, 131 runs ahead.

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