Inspired win puts England step closer to top of world

Anderson takes five wickets as India crumble in front of record Lord's crowd

England took another big step towards the top of the world at Lord's last night when they completed a stunning, and thoroughly deserved, 196-run victory over India in the first Test.

Those supporting the tourists were only just in the minority among a record last-day crowd of around 28,000 but it was England's fans who had everything to shout about once Stuart Broad sealed the win by dismissing last man Ishant Sharma.

England need to win this four-match series by at least two clear Tests to replace India at the top of the table and take the No 1 spot for the first time since the rankings were devised more than a decade ago. As captain Andrew Strauss stressed last night, there is a long way to go before the bunting comes out but the hosts, who have named an unchanged squad for Friday’s second Test, will go to Trent Bridge brimming with confidence.

"To be No 1 you have to grab opportunities and we did that very well in this match," said Strauss. "But we cannot get carried away. Yes, I'm very proud of what the guys have done here. But I'm also aware that it is only the opening salvo so we must not get too satisfied with ourselves. We have demonstrated that when we play well we are a match for anyone."

Kevin Pietersen was understandably named man of the match for his first-innings double century that put England firmly on the road to victory after they had been asked to bat when conditions were at their most difficult. But it was Strauss's four-man attack – Jimmy Anderson, Broad, Chris Tremlett and Graeme Swann – who sealed the deal by twice bowling out the world's most celebrated batting line-up.

"Over the two innings I think that was as close to the perfect bowling performance we have had in the last two years, and that is saying a lot," said Strauss. England's captain had special praise for Broad, whose place was under threat going into this series. He finished with seven wickets, and scored an important half-century, to justify the selectors' faith in him.

"When your place in the side is called into question it is as much a test of your character as anything else," said Strauss. "Stuart showed his class and it was a timely reminder just what a talented cricketer he is."

Strauss was pretty happy with Pietersen, too. "I think our first-innings total (474-8 declared) was a magnificent effort after we were put in, and KP was mainly responsible for that," he said. "I think that was one of the great innings since I've been involved."

Without yesterday's five-star bowling display, though, India would most likely have escaped with a draw – as they did when last visiting Lord's, four years ago.

Anderson finished as the star of the show with five wickets in India's second innings, enabling England to shrug off a couple of umpiring errors and two dropped catches. And, perhaps crucially, he ended what was probably Sachin Tendulkar's last Test innings at Lord's – removing the Little Master lbw for 12.

That wicket was especially appreciated by Strauss, who had dropped Tendulkar in the slips. "You never want to drop Sachin but thankfully Jimmy spared my blushes," said the captain.

Tendulkar is now unlikely to score the Lord's century he had set his heart on. "I think he must be disappointed," said India captain MS Dhoni. "But he is always disappointed when he misses out, regardless of who he is playing for and where he is playing."

The world's most successful batsman, hoping to score his 100th international century, was given a standing ovation when he walked out to bat. And he received another one on his way back, but with only 12 runs – rather than 100 – in the scorebook.

Tendulkar's chances of success had not been helped by a virus that left him feeling weak after the first innings. "Sachin was better for the second innings, but not 100 per cent," admitted Dhoni.

India's problems may not end with the Lord's defeat. Although Dhoni escaped possible suspension, with the match referee deciding India had not fallen short of the required over rate for a third time in Test cricket this year, the tourists could be without their No 1 bowler, Zaheer Khan, at Trent Bridge.

Zaheer limped out of the attack on the first day at Lord's because of a hamstring problem and Dhoni confirmed that he is not yet a definite starter for Nottingham.

The last word, though, belonged to Pietersen. Asked whether this series is now as big as the Ashes, given the remarkable crowd at Lord's yesterday, Pietersen pointed out, with a smile, that there is a difference because there is a "genuine hatred" between England and Australia when it came to cricket.

England's winning run

Since Andy Flower took permanent charge of the England side, following the 1-0 series defeat in the West Indies early in 2009, the side led so well by Andrew Strauss have been in imperious Test form: And now they lead India...

May 2009 Beat West Indies 2-0 (home)

July 2009 Beat Australia 2-1 (home)

January 2010 Drew 1-1 with South Africa (away)

March 2010 Beat Bangladesh 2-0 (away)

May 2010 Beat Bangladesh 2-0 (home)

July 2010 Beat Pakistan 3-0 (home)

November 2010 to January 2011 Beat Australia 3-1 (away)

June 2011 Beat Sri Lanka 1-0 (home)

July 2011 Leading India 1-0 (home, after one of four Tests played)