Good test for England this. I know India have fallen off the horse of late, but they're still a tough side to beat on home soil.

For anyone watching the Australia/SL game - some of the ladies in the crowd

This pitch is so full of runs, 350 might not be enough. I fancy a go on it myself. Absolutely nothing there for the bowlers.

Series overall: England's record in ODIs in India is dreadful. While India were utter pony in the recent Pakistan series, I think we can out-pony India and they'll win with relative comfort.

You could be right

I'd get rid of Dirtbag for starters. Bowl it straight, you over-inked imbecile.
And stop bowling long-hops to Dhoni.

Or you could let Dhoni sploof a loopy half-volley to long-on... That works for me.

England win!

Never in doubt *ahem*

This one could be tight. Good late assault from Dhoni and Jadeja has got India to a competitive total that will take some chasing.
Of course, if they'd maybe tried bowling yorkers at the end instead of loopy filth...

96 off the last 10... 285 looks substantial.

Miserable

What is England's obsession with picking residency qualified players over better English born alternatives.

Bedwetter over Prior.
Dumbitch over Onions.

It just makes no sense, on any level.

If you want to get into this England side at the minute you've probably got more chance if you're born outside the UK.

Bewetter over Sarah Taylor... Mystifying.

Doesn't get any better, does it?

Might help if the ECB picked their strongest team for every tour, rather than pratting around "resting" people who only work one day out of three anyway.

Challenging total this time, setting India 258 to win. Good knock from young master Root. Another shocking decision to unseat Cook - way outside leg.

Been playing the Dernbach drinking game this winter - a pint for every over that goes for more than six runs.

Doctors reckon I might have cirrhosis of the liver.

He's bowled India into the box seat

Fact of the day. Dirtbag is the least economical bowler in ODI history (minimum 1000 balls). 6.28.

I'd like to say I'm shocked by that.

Saj Mahmood 'only' goes for 5.85

Now that does shock me.

He must have played most of his ODIs against Bangladesh or suchlike.

Oh look. A meaningless game, pressure off and England win with a good batting performance from Bell. Well there you go.