England hold nerve to seal thrilling win against India

England 387 & 192; India 387 & 170. Hosts win by 22 runs

- ED OSMOND

England stayed calm under intense pressure to beat India by 22 runs on the final day yesterday of simmering tension and drama in the third test at Lord's on and move 2-1 up in the series.

Shoaib Bashir bowled Mohammed Siraj for four to seal victory, India’s number 11 playing a defensive stroke before the ball trickled down the face of his bat and rolled on to the stumps as he watched on in disbelief.

Bashir was later ruled out of the rest of the series due to a fracture in his left finger, which he had suffered on Saturday while attempting a low catch during his own bowling. The 21-year-old is set for surgery later this week.

As the England players celebrated wildly, Ravindra Jadeja trudged off the field having made a valiant unbeaten 61 to take India to the brink of an extraordinary win.

“I probably bowled a few more overs than I thought I would but I am glad to get the win today on this special day,” England fast bowler Jofra Archer said. “Honestly, I thought one of us would win by lunch. It dragged on a bit.”