Uzair Rizvi, BeyondHeadlines
England have completed a 4-0 whitewash as they defeated India by an innings and 8 runs in the fourth test at The Oval, London. This is the second consecutive inning defeat for the Indians.
The English side overtook the No.1 spot from the Indians and then inflicted a final blow to lower them to on third 3rd sport in the Test rankings. This is also India’s first Test Series whitewash in 20 years. The last was against Australia in 1992.
Swann’s six wickets led the charge in the famous debacle of the visitors, as they collapsed in the post-lunch session.
Resuming the day at the overnight score of 129/3, Tendulkar and Mishra began the proceedings cautiously.Sachin batted well to get to his half-century and was lucky to survive as both the players saw off the morning session.
Mishra, the night watchman batted comfortably and got to his half-century. Resuming 216/3 at lunch, the pair was looking impressive, further added 46 runs before Graeme Swann superbly cleaned up Mishra (84), and soon Sachin Tendulkar (91), closing to his 100th ton was unluckily adjudged LBW by Umpire Rob Tucker off Tim Bresnan.
At 262/5 Swann’s was the chief-in-tormentor as India’s innings unfolded quickly, Raina took his second duck from the match. He then got Gambhir for 3.
Broad removed Dhoni and R.P.Singh for the scores of 3 and 0 respectively.
Swann rattled Sreesanth wickets as England won the game.
Swann took 6 wickets, Broad picked up 2 and Anderson and Bresnan each picked up 1 wicket.
Earlier England won the toss and imposed a massive total of 591/7(declare) with major contributions from Ian Bell (235) and Kevin Pietersen (175).
In reply, India team was bowled out for 300 runs in the first innings allowing the England Skipper Andrew Strauss to enforce a Follow-On where the visitors again skidded below the English score.
Rahul Dravid was the lone batsman to make it count as he scored an unbeaten 146 in the first innings.
Ian Bell was named Man of the Match for his marathon innings of 235.
There were two Man-of-the Series awards, one presented to Rahul Dravid for his 461 runs including 3 hundreds and the other was given to Stuart Broad for taking 25 wickets at a magnificent average of 13.84
It was a series that will be remembered for India’s poor batting where they just managed to put up a score of 300 just once in 8 consecutive innings.
England took the uttermost opportunity and the visitors kneeled before them. The bowling was out of favor.
Sachin Tendulkar’s last Test assignment in England was the most disappointing as he averaged just 34 in the four test.
Well this would unfold a new chapter in history as “England starts their reign and Indian Test Cricket dies.”
No more of white kits as India play three warm-up games and a lone T20 before they kick off for a riveting ODI series.
