India build on advantage against England in second test

NOTTINGHAM, England, July 28 (Reuters) India tightened their grip on the second test today after bowling England out for just 198 and then reaching 40 for no loss at lunch.

Wasim Jaffer (15) and Dinesh Karthik (20) gave India a solid start on the second morning of the match as England's bowlers struggled to make a much-needed breakthrough.

In sunny weather and with the Trent Bridge pitch much drier than on the rain-affected first day, India appear to have the conditions in their favour and are well placed to consolidate their superiority and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

England, resuming on 169 for seven, lost their first overnight batsman when Chris Tremlett was bowled by a straight delivery from leg-spinner Anil Kumble in the sixth over of the morning for 20.

Monty Panesar then edged Zaheer Khan to second slip VVS Laxman for one before the hosts, hoping for the psychological boost of reaching 200, saw last man James Anderson bowled by Kumble, who finished with three for 32 from 12.3 overs.

Left-arm seamer Zaheer finished with his best figures against England of four for 59 from 21 overs, after removing Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan and Ian Bell yesterday.

India are seeking their first test series win in England for 21 years, while the hosts are trying to protect a record of going six years without a home test series defeat.

REUTERS SSC KP1800