India ease to seven-wicket win in second test

NOTTINGHAM, England, July 31 (Reuters) India eased to a seven-wicket win over England in the second test at Trent Bridge today to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The tourists, resuming on 10 without loss, reached their victory target of 73 for the loss of Dinesh Karthik, Wasim Jaffer and Sachin Tendulkar in the morning session on the fifth and final day.

England paceman Chris Tremlett took all three wickets to fall but Michael Vaughan's side slipped to their first home defeat in 13 months.

Jaffer top-edged a pull shot and was caught by Kevin Pietersen at gully, Karthik edged a short ball to wicketkeeper Matt Prior and Tendulkar was caught at backward short leg as Tremlett finished with three for 12 from 7.1 overs.

Skipper Rahul Dravid (11 not out) and Saurav Ganguly (two) steered India to victory as the winning runs came with four byes.

It was India's second test win in England since 1986. The final test starts at The Oval on August 9.

The first test at Lord's was drawn when England were prevented from taking a match-winning 20th wicket on the final day because of rain.

REUTERS DH ND1734