England clinch victory in third ODI
Anderson took three wickets to help England to victory
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Monday, 27, Aug 2007 09:17
England have clinched victory in the third one-day international (ODI) against India by 42 runs.
The win, in the absence of the injured Andrew Flintoff, takes the hosts into a 2-1 lead in the series.
India failed to reach a target of 281 runs set by England with the help of Ian Bell's 79 and Paul Collingwood's 44.
But a crucial three wicket-haul by James Anderson secured an impressive win at Edgbaston over the visitors, who were bowled out for 239.
A strong performance by England's opening batting pair Matt Prior and Alastair Cook put the hosts on to 76 after captain Paul Collingwood had lost the toss.
But India's bowlers began to take the initiative when Prior was caught off Munaf Patel and Cook fell victim to Ramesh Power for 40 soon after.
When spinner Piyush Chawla claimed Kevin Pietersen for just nine, the hosts appeared to be in trouble, only for Ian Bell to respond with his third half-century in three consecutive matches.
A 44 from captain Paul Collingwood and some big-hitting by Chris Tremlett in the final over set India a target of 281 to win.
After India mounted a challenge through Sourav Ganguly's 72 and Rahul Dravid's 46, Tremlett counter-attacked to remove both batsmen.
Fine catches from Ian Bell contributed to both India's decline and his man of the match award.
His run-out of Yuvraj Singh, who hit 45 off 39 balls, further dented the visitor's attempted fight-back before bowling from Monty Panesar and Anderson took out the tail-enders to secure England's victory.