Umpiring errors add to England woe

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England surrender to Indian onslaught

England slumped to an emphatic eight-wicket defeat India in today's fourth one-day international against India after being undermined by another glaring umpiring error.

Replying to England's 218 for seven in a match reduced to 39 overs a side after the start was delayed because of heavy morning dew, India raced into a 3-1 lead in the series by reaching their victory target in just 29.4 overs.

But England will point to two contentious umpiring decisions early in the Indian reply which turned the match, re-opening the controversy about the appointment of inexperienced umpires for the series which provoked England into writing a letter of complaint after the opening game.

The first incident occurred off the first ball when Sachin Tendulkar appeared to glance the ball behind to stand-in wicketkeeper Marcus Trescothick, who stepped into the role after James Foster was ruled out with sickness.

The tourists appealed enthusiastically, but umpire CR Mohite rejected their claims, signalling a wide to allow Tendulkar to escape and take full advantage, finishing unbeaten on 87 and clinching victory with a straight six off Jeremy Snape.

England could also claim they had a valid appeal for leg before against Virender Sehwag in the next over of the innings from Matthew Hoggard, which was denied by umpire I Silveram.

Having been given those two reprieves, India were not about to give England another opportunity and the opening pair set about destroying the tourists' attack for the next 17 overs.

For once it was not Tendulkar who led India's onslaught but opening partner Sehwag, who underlined why he is rated as the next great Indian batsman in the making with an explosive innings.

He raced to his half century off only 36 balls and his onslaught was only halted when he drove Paul Collingwood to mid-on for a breathtaking 82 from only 62 deliveries, including 14 boundaries.

Sehwag, who opened successfully with Tendulkar during Friday's four-wicket victory in Chennai, was due to drop down the order again following the return of captain Sourav Ganguly after hamstring trouble.

But Ganguly limped out of the action during the 33rd over of England's innings after suffering a recurrence and Sehwag made the most of his opportunity.

The tourists had hoped to set a more formidable total after also being given a flying start with Nick Knight and Trescothick forging a 71–run partnership spanning only 11 overs.

Warwickshire left–hander Knight, man–of–the–series as recently as October during the triumphant tour to Zimbabwe, has struggled since his arrival in India and scored only 24 runs in the first three matches.

But today he broke out of his slump to score a brilliant 74 off only 82 balls to put England on course for a major total as they attempted to draw level in the series.

Just as he seemed poised for his fourth one–day international century he became caught up in England's middle order collapse as they lost four wickets for 22 runs in five overs

Unlike previous matches in the series, this time England had Graham Thorpe's expertise, brought in to replace Foster, to guide them through the final overs and he finished unbeaten on 36 from 41 balls.