Kumble gets 500 Test wicket, England dismissed for 300

Mohali, March 11 (UNI) A mesmerising spell by Anil Kumble (five for 76) helped India dismiss England for 300 in their first innings, 43 minutes after lunch on the third day of the second Test at the PCA Stadium here today.

The visitors' innings lasted 436 minutes and 103.4 overs.

The day so far belonged to Kumble and the leggie, playing his 105th Test, trapped Steve Harmison to get his 500th Test wicket.

His others victims included Ian Bell (38), Paul Collingwood (25), Geraint Jones (52) and Monty Panesar (0).

Other Indian wicket-takers were Munaf Patel (three for 72) and Irfan Pathan (two for 70).

Earlier, a captain's knock of 70 by Adrew Flintoff and his solid 103-run partnership with wicketkeeper Geraint Jones for the sixth wicket stand helped England reach 288 for six at lunch. Resuming at the overnight total of 200 for five, both the batsmen frustrated the Indian bowlers and Flintoff hit debutant spinner Piyush Chawla for two huge sixes, one over long-on and the second over midwicket.

Flitoff was, however, lucky after his Indian counterpart Rahul Dravid dropped him at first slip in the second over of the day.

Munaf Patel finally removed Flintoff caught and bowled, after India had taken the new ball.

Flintoff, playing his 58th Test, reached the fence 11 times and posted two sixes. He faced 123 deliveries and occupied the crease for 180 minutes. Munaf, who hails from Gujarat and a product of MRF Pace Academy, captured his second wicket.

After the departure of Flintoff, Liam Plunkett joined Jones and the England stumper today completed 1000 Test runs when he hit a loose delivery of Chawla to midwicket for four.

Despite heavy rain yesterday, the ground was made playable by the Punjab Cricket Association staff today with the help of super-soppers.

UNI XC AY KN1425