England seal first series win in India for 28 years

England completed a famous series win in India after Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell batted the tourists to a draw in the fourth Test in Nagpur.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Christine Arron. Net photo.

England completed a famous series win in India after Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell batted the tourists to a draw in the fourth Test in Nagpur.Leading India 2-1 going into the final Test of four, they had stayed in front of their opponents throughout the Nagpur match, on a poor pitch which made forcing a result next to impossible for the hosts.The Warwickshire duo applied the finishing touches to the triumph, with Trott batting through until close to tea for 143, and Bell recovering from a poor series to notch his first Test century since the summer of 2011.He was unbeaten on 116, with Joe Root accompanying him on 20 as the captains shook hands on a draw once the match went into its final hour.England have endured a chastening 2012, losing their rank as the world’s best Test side, changing their captain, and getting dragged into a row over the future of batsman Kevin Pietersen.But Alastair Cook’s men ended the year in style, with a series result every bit the equal of the victory in Australia two years ago. India had not been beaten over a Test series on their own soil since a great Australia team finally overcame them 2-1 in 2004/5.India’s hopes going into day five were faint; and relied upon removing Trott and Bell immediately. The second new ball was due after just one over’s play - it was taken immediately but after a brief burst from their one seamer Ishant Sharma, it was soon back to spin.