After only just winning the 1st test, almost entirely due to luck, and being belted in the 2nd test, the team had been changed around completely and a fresh team went into the 3rd test and provided a good showing - they had been in line to win, had it not been for the time limits.
The boys went into the 4th test optimistic - this new side had gelled well and they were looking sharp. A disappointing 227 in the first innings meant they had to bow well. Which they did, with flying colours, India being dismissed for 203, Fanning the crop of the bowlers with a career best 6/69. 24 runs ahead, they set out to amass a huge total, which they did - sort of. Bentley (52), Bell (49) and Ryan (50) took the score along nicely - though almost every player made 20 odd at least. A 10th wicket partnership of 34 helped the total to 305a.o., the lead 329.
The lads new the dangerous opening partnership of B. Khan and W. Ali had to be broken early - and Walker did just that, trapping Ali infront for 11, the score 1/15. Some frustrating resistance from a superb Kalidpur (123) and Sharma (48) saw the visitors come within 151 runs with 7 wickets in hand, yet Durrant, Walker and Walcott blasted through the lower order to see the Indians all out 65 runs short of the target, for 264. Durrant snared 4/54 and Walcott 3/75. This impressive win saw England, after being the weaker side (despite winning the 1st test) for the first two tests, finish the 4 test series on a high note, winning 2-1. This recent win over India (1st on the Wisden rankings) saw England move to 3rd in the rankings.
