India struggle as England tighten noose

India invited trouble for themselves while allowing England wriggle out of an early slump to take a substantial lead and gain firm control of the first cricket Test in Chennai today. The visitors took a handy first innings lead of 75 runs by dismissing India for 241 immediately after lunch and then recovered from a jittery 43 for three to reach a comfortable 172 for three at close on the third day. England have taken an overall lead of 247 runs with seven wickets still intact. Brief scores: ENGLAND (1st innings): 316 INDIA (1st innings): 241 all out 69.4 overs (S Tendulkar 37, M Dhoni 53, Harbhajan 40: M Panesar 3-65, A Flintoff 3-49, G Swann 2-42). ENGLAND (2nd innings): 172 for three in 54 overs (A Strauss batting 73, P Collingwood batting 60, Yuvraj Singh 1/7, A Mishra 1/47, I Sharma 1/31).

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