India bowlers strike double blow before lunch

LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan were out just before lunch as England faltered in their reply to India's imposing first innings 664 on day three of the third test at The Oval today.

England were 124 for four wickets at the interval. Kevin Pietersen was on four.

Night watchman James Anderson (16) was the other man out in the session after frustrating India for 72 minutes.

After England began the morning solidly they slumped from 78 for one to 124 for four.

Anderson was lbw for 16 to Rudra Pratap Singh. Cook got a leading edge off Anil Kumble and was caught at mid-off by Singh for 61.

The hammer blow came when captain Vaughan fell for 11 when he drove the ball from Kumble straight back at the bowler, sparking wild celebrations by the Indians.

India require only a draw to earn their first test series win in England for 21 years. The hosts are heading for their first home series defeat since 2001.

Cook, who cracked 11 boundaries, in his innings mixed some exhilarating stroke-play with an element of fortune having been dropped on 13 and 28.

His first reprieve came when he glanced Shanthakumaran Sreesanth to leg slip Dinesh Karthik, who floored a chance presented to him at chest level.

Cook was also dropped on 28 by Saurav Ganguly diving to his left, again at leg slip, off the bowling of leg-spinner Kumble.

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