ENGLAND v INDIA

Toss: England. International debuts: A. D. Brown, M. A. Ealham, R. C. Irani; P. L. Mhambrey.

A new-look England team put their disastrous winter form behind them. Their sequence of nine successive defeats against major countries ended only with a washout, but England were clearly ahead on points before the first day's play was abandoned. Persistent rain prevented any restart on the reserve day. The star was Lewis, who resumed his perplexing international career on what had lately become his home pitch with one of his most compelling performances; he was one of four Surrey players in the England team. India started their quest for 292 in the ferocious style perfected by Sri Lanka during the World Cup: they were 54 without loss in the sixth over. Lewis was on the receiving end at first, but he dismissed Rathore and Kumble - promoted to slog - inside three balls before bowling both Sidhu and Manjrekar, giving him four for six in 21 balls. In between, Martin had Tendulkar leg before on the back foot, putting India in an almost impossible position, even though they were up with the asking-rate. England's batting had relied heavily on Hick, at his most commanding. Two of the newcomers made good scores: Brown's innings was patchy, but Ealham hit two sixes and looked instantly at home. This was the first international in England played on the new worldwide standard of 50 overs a side with a break between innings rather than lunch and tea.

Man of the Match: C. C. Lewis. Attendance: 15,639; Receipts: £451,926.

Close of Play: India 96-5 (17.1 overs) ( M. Azharuddin 15*, A. Jadeja 11*).