The tour schedule was announced on 12 September 2001. England were to play three three-day tour games ahead of the Test series and three one-day games before the ODI series.[1] The five-match ODI series was converted into a six-match affair after a demand by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to play the final ODI at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After an initial disagreement, the England and Wales Cricket Board agreed to the demand after the BCCI was reported as saying that India would not honour their commitment to play four Tests in England next summer.[2]
India got off to a good start after electing to bat upon winning the toss. Openers Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar took their team score to 50 in the tenth over before Andrew Flintoff dismissed them both in his first spell.[23]Dinesh Mongia top-scored for India with 71 after reaching 50 in as many balls. His partners VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag added 55 and 43 runs with him before being dismissed, who were followed by Ajit Agarkar and Ajay Ratra in quick succession. A partnership of 38 between Hemang Badani and Harbhajan Singh towards the end took India's total to 281.[24]
England's reply began with Nick Knight being declared lbw in the second ball of their innings. A second wicket partnership of 63 runs between opener Marcus Trescothick and captain Nasser Hussain steadied their chase. Hussain and later Michael Vaughan partnered Trescothick to add 80 runs between overs 10 and 20, before Paul Collingwood made 21 in a stand of 61 with the former. Trescothick reached his century in 80 balls, before being dismissed in controversial manner. He was adjudged out lbw, although replays showed the ball pitching well outside leg stump before hitting the pads.[23] England's last six wickets fell for 35 runs, and were all out for 259, handing India a 22-run win.[23][24]
