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NatWest Series in pictures

Catch-up cricket at its best

The Tests series loss was a huge dampener in England’s home international season. England had a shot at redemption with the seven-one dayers and the chilly winds in Southampton hardly ruined their plans. Ian Bell proved hard to dislodge, and that became a pattern as the series progressed. In company with Cook, Bell added 178 as the Indians struggled to breakthrough. He too reached his maiden ton and his unbeaten 126 came at over a run-a-ball.
The Tests series loss was a huge dampener in England’s home international season. England had a shot at redemption with the seven-one dayers and the chilly winds in Southampton hardly ruined their plans. Ian Bell proved hard to dislodge, and that became a pattern as the series progressed. In company with Cook, Bell added 178 as the Indians struggled to breakthrough. He too reached his maiden ton and his unbeaten 126 came at over a run-a-ball.•Getty Images
While the Indian batting came a cropper in Southampton, in Bristol, it was a different story. A batting pitch and a minuscule ground were the ingredients in India’s revival and the opening stand of 113 between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly led the way.
While the Indian batting came a cropper in Southampton, in Bristol, it was a different story. A batting pitch and a minuscule ground were the ingredients in India’s revival and the opening stand of 113 between Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly led the way. •AFP
There was never a dull moment when Piyush Chawla had the ball in hand and the manner in which he outfoxed players of the calibre of Kevin Pietersen was one of the endearing images of the series. The legbreaks beat the bat, the googlies either straightened or turned the other way and each time Pietersen used his feet, a wicket was there for the taking. The celebrations that followed gave more than a glimpse of what the future had in store for India.
There was never a dull moment when Piyush Chawla had the ball in hand and the manner in which he outfoxed players of the calibre of Kevin Pietersen was one of the endearing images of the series. The legbreaks beat the bat, the googlies either straightened or turned the other way and each time Pietersen used his feet, a wicket was there for the taking. The celebrations that followed gave more than a glimpse of what the future had in store for India.•Getty Images
The action shifted to Old Trafford with the Indians lagging in the series by one game. The batting, however, failed to come good and the man who dismantled the line-up was Stuart Broad, who finished with figures of 4 for 51. India ended on a modest 213.
The action shifted to Old Trafford with the Indians lagging in the series by one game. The batting, however, failed to come good and the man who dismantled the line-up was Stuart Broad, who finished with figures of 4 for 51. India ended on a modest 213.•Getty Images
At Leeds, the Indian batsmen rose from slumber again and the thrills were reserved for Yuvraj Singh who scored an exhilarating 72 off 57 balls to lift India to 324.
At Leeds, the Indian batsmen rose from slumber again and the thrills were reserved for Yuvraj Singh who scored an exhilarating 72 off 57 balls to lift India to 324.•Getty Images
Dimitri Mascaranhas ended the innings in a blaze, striking five consecutive sixes in the final over off Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj varied his length and line of attack but each time the ball met Mascarenhas’ bat, the crowd at midwicket and long-on waited in anticipation for their round of catching practice.
Dimitri Mascaranhas ended the innings in a blaze, striking five consecutive sixes in the final over off Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj varied his length and line of attack but each time the ball met Mascarenhas’ bat, the crowd at midwicket and long-on waited in anticipation for their round of catching practice.•Getty Images
Robin Uthappa, waiting on the bench till this game, came out at No. 7 and stunned England. As if stealing Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s thunder for his innovative strokes, he nudged, edged, scooped and pulled as India got closer to squaring the series. He smoked a straight drive off Broad in the final over to take India home, in what was the most thrilling encounter of the series
Robin Uthappa, waiting on the bench till this game, came out at No. 7 and stunned England. As if stealing Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s thunder for his innovative strokes, he nudged, edged, scooped and pulled as India got closer to squaring the series. He smoked a straight drive off Broad in the final over to take India home, in what was the most thrilling encounter of the series•Getty Images
Pietersen bucked down and steered his side home with an unbeaten 71. England won their first series win at home since 2004
Pietersen bucked down and steered his side home with an unbeaten 71. England won their first series win at home since 2004 •Getty Images
The contest turned out to be hopelessly one-sided once James Anderson took control. Utilising the swing and seam on offer, he prised out three early wickets to leave India struggling at 34 for 4. He later picked up another scalp to finish with figures of 4 for 23.
The contest turned out to be hopelessly one-sided once James Anderson took control. Utilising the swing and seam on offer, he prised out three early wickets to leave India struggling at 34 for 4. He later picked up another scalp to finish with figures of 4 for 23.•Getty Images
In case we all forgot, Andrew Flintoff picked up five wickets amid the carnage. Through the series, the team management seemed to spend more hours sweating over his fitness and his contributions and the aura of his presence proved why England needed him so badly.
In case we all forgot, Andrew Flintoff picked up five wickets amid the carnage. Through the series, the team management seemed to spend more hours sweating over his fitness and his contributions and the aura of his presence proved why England needed him so badly.•Getty Images
The atmosphere in the third one-dayer at Edgbaston was reminiscent of the cacophony of a typical Indian ground. Indian supporters showed up in large numbers and let their hair down. Despite the overwhelming support, the Indians flattered to deceive.
The atmosphere in the third one-dayer at Edgbaston was reminiscent of the cacophony of a typical Indian ground. Indian supporters showed up in large numbers and let their hair down. Despite the overwhelming support, the Indians flattered to deceive.•Getty Images
It was ‘game on’ when Ajit Agarkar took over. The target of 213 seemed more like 270 when England lost their third wicket at 35. Bell misjudged the line and shouldered arms, and Agarkar’s expression proved just how important a wicket it was.
It was ‘game on’ when Ajit Agarkar took over. The target of 213 seemed more like 270 when England lost their third wicket at 35. Bell misjudged the line and shouldered arms, and Agarkar’s expression proved just how important a wicket it was. •Getty Images
Rocky Balboa’s fist - Sourav Ganguly did what was expected of him as a third seamer as he inflicted two early blows to set England back. Paul Collingwood caused a few anxious moments with an unbeaten 91 but India prevailed. The series was now at 3-2 in favour of England.
Rocky Balboa’s fist - Sourav Ganguly did what was expected of him as a third seamer as he inflicted two early blows to set England back. Paul Collingwood caused a few anxious moments with an unbeaten 91 but India prevailed. The series was now at 3-2 in favour of England.•Getty Images
India took on the target of 317 with another blazing opening stand between Tendulkar and Ganguly. The heat got to fielding side as the match slipped away from their grasp, which led to this confrontation between Broad and Ganguly.
India took on the target of 317 with another blazing opening stand between Tendulkar and Ganguly. The heat got to fielding side as the match slipped away from their grasp, which led to this confrontation between Broad and Ganguly.•Getty Images
With the series tied at 3-3, the teams headed to Lord’s for the decider. India elected to bat first but the batsmen failed to come good. The umpiring didn’t go India’s way and Tendulkar was at the receiving end of another dubious decision, as was Rahul Dravid. While Tendulkar laughed it off at Bristol, he fumed at Lord’s
With the series tied at 3-3, the teams headed to Lord’s for the decider. India elected to bat first but the batsmen failed to come good. The umpiring didn’t go India’s way and Tendulkar was at the receiving end of another dubious decision, as was Rahul Dravid. While Tendulkar laughed it off at Bristol, he fumed at Lord’s•Getty Images
It was the Tendulkar of old, stepping down the track and giving himself room in the most carefree manner to unleash his strokes. Unfortunately he ended up walking back to the pavilion flabbergasted as the umpire gave him the marching orders on 99. Replays showed the ball clipping the arm guard en route to Matt Prior and Tendulkar just smiled at his misfortune.
It was the Tendulkar of old, stepping down the track and giving himself room in the most carefree manner to unleash his strokes. Unfortunately he ended up walking back to the pavilion flabbergasted as the umpire gave him the marching orders on 99. Replays showed the ball clipping the arm guard en route to Matt Prior and Tendulkar just smiled at his misfortune.•Getty Images
While the Indians set bad examples for themselves on the field, it wasn’t the case with England. They deserved to win for completely out-fielding the opposition. Ian Bell, who top-scored at Edgbaston with 79, pulled off two stunners in the inner circle. There was no doubt as to who the Man of the Match would be.
While the Indians set bad examples for themselves on the field, it wasn’t the case with England. They deserved to win for completely out-fielding the opposition. Ian Bell, who top-scored at Edgbaston with 79, pulled off two stunners in the inner circle. There was no doubt as to who the Man of the Match would be.•Getty Images
When all hope seemed lost at 114 for 7, Broad and Ravi Bopara took guard and never departed. The pair defied everything the Indians tried and the smiles on the visitors’ faces vanished. Bopara finished on 43 and Broad 45 and England’s young brigade scripted a thrilling finish. Broad made the match his own, and the quality of his strokes would have made any genuine top-order batsman proud.
When all hope seemed lost at 114 for 7, Broad and Ravi Bopara took guard and never departed. The pair defied everything the Indians tried and the smiles on the visitors’ faces vanished. Bopara finished on 43 and Broad 45 and England’s young brigade scripted a thrilling finish. Broad made the match his own, and the quality of his strokes would have made any genuine top-order batsman proud.•Getty Images
The action shifted to The Oval for the sixth one-dayer and another run-fest ensued. Owais Shah, who had a quiet series prior to this match, reposed the faith in him with an attacking century.
The action shifted to The Oval for the sixth one-dayer and another run-fest ensued. Owais Shah, who had a quiet series prior to this match, reposed the faith in him with an attacking century.•Getty Images
Slowly, the runs started to come off the Indian ladder and England were right back in the match. And yes, Monty can catch!
Slowly, the runs started to come off the Indian ladder and England were right back in the match. And yes, Monty can catch!•Getty Images
England had the hunger to win and it was obvious with their body language. India steadily lost wickets and failed to reach 200.
England had the hunger to win and it was obvious with their body language. India steadily lost wickets and failed to reach 200. •Getty Images