India reduce England to 94 for three in second test

NOTTINGHAM, England, July 27 (Reuters) India reduced England to 94 for three at tea after asking the home side to bat on a rain-delayed opening day of the second test at Trent Bridge today.

Andrew Strauss (4), captain Michael Vaughan (9) and Kevin Pietersen (13) were all back in the pavilion before the total had reached 50 after Rahul Dravid had won the toss.

At tea, after play had begun four hours late because of heavy rain this week which had soaked the outfield, Alastair Cook was on 35 and Paul Collingwood had scored 25.

Left-armer Zaheer Khan accounted for Strauss and Vaughan on a pitch offering plenty of movement for quicker bowlers.

Khan dismissed Strauss when the left-hander pushed at a full-pitched delivery and guided it straight to Sachin Tendulkar at first slip. Vaughan followed to the same combination when Khan produced a perfect delivery on off-stump from around the wicket and Tendulkar scooped up a low chance.

Pietersen, taking a large stride forward to counter the late swing, struck three fours but was then lbw to RP Singh.

The first test at Lord's ended in a draw on Monday with India one wicket away from defeat.

REUTERS JT BD2238