India 213 for 3 at lunch, need 174 more to win

Chennai, Dec 15 (PTI) India were on course to a memorable
victory in the first cricket Test against England here
reaching 213 for three at lunch on the fifth and final day
on Monday.

India inched closer to their target of 387, adding 82
runs in 24 overs in the morning session though losing two
wickets, including that of a well-set Gautam Gambhir (66).

The match is still intriguingly poised with India still
needing 174 runs from a minimum of 66 overs with seven second
innings wickets intact.

Sachin Tendulkar (27) and V V S Laxman (20) were at the
crease at lunch break keeping the hosts' hopes of a historic
win alive.

Resuming at overnight score of 131 for one, India
suffered an early setback when Rahul Dravid (4) getting out
cheaply yet again. Dravid was out edging an impressive Andrew
Flintoff to wicketkeeper Matt Prior in third over of the day.

But Gambhir and Tendulkar took upon the challenge and at
one stage maintained a run rate of around five runs per over,
attacking the England bowlers. The duo added 42 runs for the
third wicket.

Gambhir (66; 139 balls, 7X4) and Tendulkar never looked
under any pressure and took singles and twos without much
problem, besides sending the odd bad balls to the ropes.

Tendulkar, in particular, was enjoying his batting as he
punished the bowlers whenever they gave width to him for
playing shots.

Tendulkar survived a half chance soon after India crossed
the 150 mark. With Graeme Swann hitting the right areas, the
little master stretched to defend but the ball took a sharp
turn and hit the outer edge of the bat to fall inches in front
of Ian Bell at silly point. Tendulkar was on ten then.

SPORT ENG LUNCH BOAR

Chennai, Dec 15 (PTI) Scoreboard at lunch on the fifth
and final day of the first cricket Test between India and
England here on Monday.
England: (First Innings) 316
India: (First Innings) 241
England (Second Innings) 311
India: (Second Innings) Overnight 131 for one
Gautam Gambhir c Collingwood b Anderson 66
Virender Sehwag lbw b Swann 83
Rahul Dravid c Prior b Flintoff 4
Sachin Tendulkar batting 27
VVS Laxman batting 20
Extras: (B-1, Lb-8, Nb-4) 13
Total (for 3 wkts in 53 overs) 213
Fall of Wickets: 1/117, 2/141, 3/183
Bowling: Stephen Harmison 4-0-33-0, James Anderson 7-1-30-1,
Monty Panesar 14-2-50-0, Andrew Flintoff 14-1-46-1, Graeme
Swann 13-1-45-1. PTI