England falter to modest 240

8:41am Thursday 20th November 2008

England failed to build on a promising start from their new-look batting line-up as India's spinners restricted them to a modest total in the third match of the one-day series.

Successive defeats in Rajkot and Indore persuaded the tourists to re-jig the order to try and give themselves more impetus as they battle to stay competitive in the seven-match series.

It was a tactic which worked initially, with Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara forging a 79-run opening stand. But from being well-placed for a competitive total on 80 for one at the end of the bowling powerplay after 15 overs, the tourists once again lost momentum - with India's spinners claiming four key wickets as England were dismissed for a 240 in 48.4 overs.