India clinch final wicket to beat England by 203 runs and keep Test series alive as Trent Bridge admits £10 ticket error

In front of a smattering of spectators at Trent Bridge, India quickly took the one wicket it needed on the final day of the third test to clinch a 203-run victory

Ten minutes and 17 balls. That’s all it took for India to wrap up a big win over England on Wednesday and keep the test series alive.

In front of a smattering of spectators at Trent Bridge, India quickly took the one wicket it needed on the final day of the third test to clinch a 203-run victory. England lead the series 2-1 with two tests left, the next match starting in Southampton on 30 August.

India captain Virat Kohli dedicated the win — just the country’s seventh in Tests on English soil — to those affected by the floods in the Indian state of Kerala that have left more than 200 people dead and sent more than 800,000 fleeing for dry land.

James Anderson is caught out to end the third Test (Getty Images)

“It’s a tough time there. People are going through a lot,” Kohli said. “This is our bit we can do as the Indian cricket team.”

Resuming on 311-9, England needed 210 more runs to complete what would have been a world-record chase. The paltry attendance at the start of play was a sign that the match was unlikely to last much longer and on the final ball of the day’s third over, Jimmy Anderson (11) gloved a delivery from off-spiner Ravichandran Ashwin toward the slips and Ajinkya Rahane backtracked to take the catch. England were all out for 317.

“It’s obviously disappointing after two very good performances,” England captain Joe Root said. “I don’t think we were at our best. India played very well and when you are playing against the best side in the world, you can’t afford a bad day.”

That’s what happened on the second day at Trent Bridge, when England collapsed to 161 all out in its first innings — losing all 10 wickets in one session.

“We obviously lost that game on day two with the way we batted,” England coach Trevor Bayliss said.

James Anderson leaves the pitch at Trent Bridge (PA)

Root said Jonny Bairstow would be monitored ahead of the fourth test after the wicket-keeper broke a bone in the middle finger of his left hand on Monday. Bairstow batted in the second innings — he was bowled first ball — with heavy strapping around the finger. The England captain also said he expects Alastair Cook to play at Southampton. The opener’s wife is heavily pregnant.

It was a dominant display in all aspects from the Indians after their humiliating loss in the second test at Lord’s by an innings and 159 runs. They scored more than 300 runs in both innings, having posted only 107 and 130 at Lord’s, and there was the added bonus of a strong bowling performance from paceman Jasprit Bumrah, who took 5-85 in England’s second innings on his return to the team.

“The victory was much needed and to have a performance that was so clinical is pleasing for me as captain and the management,” Kohli said. “All in all, it was the complete test match for us. We dominated this game because we got runs on the board. The bowling group was eager to take those 20 wickets again. It was about the batsmen, and what we could do to give them that cushion.”

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, which staged the match, went back on its decision to charge spectators £10 for entry for a day that potentially could have lasted only one ball. Instead, there was free admission.

“Frankly,” the club said, “we got it wrong.” AP