Date:13/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/13/stories/2007081350460100.htm

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England 56 for no loss

Special Correspondent

Chennai: Pursuing a daunting target of 500 in a minimum of 110 overs to level the series, England was 56 without loss at stumps on the fourth day of the third Test at The Oval.

Openers Andrew Strauss (23) and Alastair Cook (27), who survived 20 overs in Sunday’s last session, were at the crease.

Earlier, India, which opted not to enforce the follow-on after gaining a first innings lead of 319, declared its second innings at 180 for six.

The English new ball pair of James Anderson and Chris Tremlett struck early blows, reducing India to 11 for three. The visitors recovered through useful efforts from Sourav Ganguly (57), who timed the ball in an exquisite manner, V.V.S. Laxman (46 not out) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (36).

In the morning, leg-spinner Anil Kumble trapped Monty Panesar leg-before for nine to end the England innings at 345. Kumble and left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan were the most successful Indian bowlers with three wickets each.