Bad light denies England Test victory

Updated 10.08 Wed Jul 25 2007

Keywords: Mahendra Dhoni, Shantha Sreesanth, Michael Vaughan, India, first Test, Lord's, England, cricket, sport

The first Test at Lord's has ended in a frustrating draw with England one wicket away from beating India.

Batsmen Shantha Sreesanth and Mahendra Dhoni accepted the offer from umpires Simon Taufel and Steve Bucknor to leave the field due to bad light as dark clouds gathered.

"We were particularly impressed by the efforts of our inexperienced bowling attack against high-quality opposition" - David Graveney

India had reached 282 for nine and England had already stopped using their fast bowlers to protect the tourists in the gloom.

Sreesanth and Dhoni had held on for six overs even though they are not recognised batsmen, and Dhoni left the field on 76 not out.

England's chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "There were many positive aspects to our performance in the first Test and we were particularly impressed by the efforts of our inexperienced bowling attack against high-quality opposition.

"They bowled well as a unit and the challenge now will be for them to maintain the same levels of consistency at Nottingham."

The umpires decided to take an early tea at 3.35pm, but the rain soon arrived and the match was later abandoned.

England and India will meet at Trent Bridge in the second Test on Friday.