India's tour of England

First Test, Lord's, day three (stumps): England 487 all out and 184-3 vs India 221 all out

England have taken full control of the first Test, first by dismissing India cheaply, then by scoring quickly in their second innings.

With a lead of 450 now, the home side will be able to declare well before lunch on Sunday.

Match report | Images | Scorecard

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Duncan Fletcher praised his young bowlers after they put England in complete control of the first Test against India on day three at Lord's.

"When the wicket has a little bit of bounce in it and it seams a little bit I don't think many batters would like to face Flintoff, Hoggard and Jones," said Fletcher.

The England coach also said that a combination of the heat and tired limbs persuaded captain Nasser Hussain not to enforce the follow-on.

"The effort had taken a lot of energy out of the bowlers, we have not had many warm days this summer and they were tired.

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England's injury problems have eased slightly with fast bowler Andy Caddick confirming that he is almost ready to return to action.

Caddick has not played since suffering a side strain during last month's third Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.

But he has now been given the all-clear by doctors and hopes to play in Somerset's C&G Trophy semi-final against Kent on Thursday.

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Despite India being placed in a seemingly hopeless position in the first cricket Test against England, coach John Wright today expressed confidence that his team would at least be able to salvage a draw.

"It (the draw) is perfectly achievable with the kind of players we have," Wright said after England ended the third day's play at 184 for three in their second innings to enjoy a mammoth lead of 450.

"We have to bat for five sessions. If Virender Sehwag bats for five sessions, anything is possible," Wright joked.

Miscellaneous

New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond would like to impress in his brief stint at Warwickshire, in the hope that he will be granted a greater opportunity to play in county cricket in the future.

The England and Wales Cricket board will allow two professionals to play at each county team as of next season.

Bond will be covering at Warwickshire for South African allrounder Shaun Pollock, who will lead his country in the Morocco triangular tournament next month.

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Muttiah Muralitharan will face a disciplinary hearing and could be fined or suspended for comments he made in a recent television interview.

The champion off-spinner on this occasion raised the ire of his country’s cricket authorities when he allegedly criticised their administration of the game.

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