3rd Test - Edgbaston

UNPOPULAR HAT-TRICK (OF DEFEATS)

AT EDGBASTON, BIRMINGHAM
By S.Ravichandran (a) Salavakkam Ravi

Indian Test Team's performance declined from bad to worse as they reached the third test at Edgbaston, Birmingham.  Having conceded an unassailable lead of 2-0 to England, the Indian morale was down and the only hope they had was to bounce back and level the series or to win at least one test and draw the other one to retain the No.1 spot.  But the current form of Indian players suggested that both were impossible.

For the first time in the series England won the toss and put India to bat.  What India feared from the beginning of the series had actually happened.  Yes... facing the hostile English attack on a fresh pitch.  With Sehwag opening the innings expectations were high that he would give a rousing start to the innings.  But things were otherwise.  Sehwag was out off the first ball he faced.  With no significant contribution from the other batsmen, Dhoni played an attacking 77 to help India manage just 224 runs.  Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan scalped 4 wickets apiece. 

England had the best possible start in the series with both the openers returning to supreme form.  Andrew Strauss was more fluent than Alastair Cook, but he got out for 87.  Cook continued to stay at the wicket for a marathon innings and was unlucky to get out at the threshold of 300.  He made 294.  Morgan contributed with a well made ton.  Pietersen and Bresnan did their part with well compiled half centuries.  England posted a mammoth total of 710/7.

Facing an uphill task of 487 to avoid innings defeat, India had the worst possible start, Sehwag garnering a "King Pair".  Gambhir, Dravid, Laxman and Raina disappointed by getting out cheaply.  Tendulkar was looking good.  But he got out in an unfortunate manner.  He was run out as the ball caressed Swann's hand while trying to stop Dhoni's straight drive with Tendulkar out of the runner's crease.  Dhoni shined once again scoring 74 runs whereas it was sorry tale at the other end. India were bowled out for 244 runs, conceding a massive victory to England by an innings and 242 runs.  This is the third worst defeat for India in the history of Test Cricket.

Fourth and final Test starts at Kennington Oval, London on 18th August 2011.  This Test is more important to South Africa than India or England, as a defeat for India would pave way to whitewash and also would push them to 3rd Spot, elevating South Africa to the 2nd place.