Flintoff, Anderson strike, India struggling at 153-5 at lunch

Mumbai, Mar 20 (UNI) India were reeling at 153 for five after England stand-in skipper Andrew Flintoff teamed up with James Anderson to take the crucial wickets of Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh with the hosts still needing 48 runs to save the follow-on on the third day of the third and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium here today.

England seamers bowling with fire and purpose had India struggling at 153 for five at lunch with Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 32 and Irfan Pathan on seven holding fort for India.

India still need a further 48 runs to save the ignominy of a follow on.

India is one up in the three-match series following their nine-wicket win in the second Test at Mohali, while the first Test at Nagpur ended in a draw.

India began the day at 89 for three with much depending on captain Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh but English stand-in captain Andrew Flintoff broke their partnership in the second over of the day. Yuvraj slashed a wide delivery only to see wicketkeeper Geriant Jones take a stupendous catch diving in front of first slip.

Yuvraj could add just five to his overnight score of 32 with leaving India at 94 for four.

Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard then bowled a fiery spell hitting Dhoni on the back of his head but Dhoni recovered soon to play sensibly.

James Anderson was then brought on and he immediately had the Indians in trouble.

Dhoni was first given a let off when a powerful off drive went to Monty Panesar at mid-off but the spinner could not latch on to it to give the Indian wicketkeeper a reprieve.

Dhoni was then on 23 and the Indian score was 137 for four.

The Indian captain playing his hundredth Test match soon completed his 50 which was studded with six fours and looked set for a bigger score but three balls after Dhoni was dropped, Dravid tried to cut Anderson and the ball went flying straight to gully where substitute fielder Matthew Prior muffed the chance with the Indian captain at 52.

However, in Anderson's next over, Dravid, trying to leg glance, got a faint tickle onto the bat and Jones completed his fourth catch of the innings diving to his left to bring off another spectacular catch.

Dravid made 52 and India's score was then 142 for five.

Dhoni and Pathan then played out till lunch.

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