England fast bowlers Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan each claimed four wickets as India were bowled out for 224 after tea on the first day of the third test at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni top-scored with an enterprising 77 from 96 deliveries to boost his team’s total after they had slipped to 111 for seven. Broad took four for 53 from 17 overs and Bresnan four for 62 off 20.

England captain Andrew Strauss asked India to bat after winning the toss for the first time in the four-match series.

Dhoni rescued India from the depths of 111/7 and found a useful ally in Praveen Kumar (26) during an eighthwicket run-a-ball stand of 84.

England, already 2-0 up, were though still on top in a match where victory would see them win the four-match series and also replace India at the top of the ICC’s Test Championship table.

But India, yet to make 300 this series, were at least showing some fight. Dhoni, whose previous best score this series was 28 in the opener at Lord’s, did what he does best when launching James Anderson for a straight six and also clubbed Tim Bresnan high over long-on.

Kumar was no ‘silent’ partner, driving and cover-driving Graeme Swann for two fours in successive balls before hitting a fine straight six off the off-spinner.

But his innings came to an end when, trying to hook Bresnan, he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Matt Prior for the second time, England successfully challenged Australian umpire Steve Davis’s original not out call.

Bresnan led England’s attack. India endured another top-order failure as they slumped to 75 for four a lunch with Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar managing just one run between them.
Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid was out for 22 to what turned out to be the last ball before lunch.

India then lost their nex three wickets for just 19 runs in 39 balls. Suresh Raina was clean bowled by Anderson and it was not long before 92/5 was transformed into 111/7.

Venkatsai Laxman struck six elegant boundaries but, not for the first time this series, his vulnerability against the short ball was exposed when he didn't get over a pull shot against Bresnan and holed out straight to Stuart Broad at long leg.

Amit Mishra was then caught behind off Broad. Earlier, Broad struck first ball to remove Sehwag for a golden duck. Sehwag, playing his first match of the series after shoulder surgery and one of the world’s most dynamic opening batsman, tried to sway out of the way of a short ball from Broad but gloved through to Prior.

Davis initially said not out but his fellow Australian Rod Tucker, the third umpire, ruled in England's favour.

Dravid, back in his familar number three spot after making a century while opening in Gambhir's absence during a 319-run second Test loss at Trent Bridge, drove Broad for two fours in successive balls.
But first-change Bresnan ended a stand worth 51 when left-hander Gambhir insideedged onto his stumps for 38.

Gambhir’s exit brought in Tendulkar. He made just one before he was lured into playing a Broad delivery outside off-stump he might have left and edged to third slip Anderson.

— AFP