Karthik falls as England fight back

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) Dinesh Karthik fell nine runs short of a second test century while India reached 211 for three at tea on the first day of the third and final test at The Oval today.

Sachin Tendulkar was two not out and Saurav Ganguly had eight, courtesy of two boundaries, as England clawed their way back into the match in the afternoon session.

India, needing to avoid defeat to claim their first test series win in England for 21 years, were in total control until 189 for one became 199 for three with two wickets falling in three overs.

England's rally was much-needed given their predicament of trailing 1-0 in the series and facing the prospect of losing their first home test series in six years.

India captain Rahul Dravid, trying to drive through midwicket, was bowled by an out-swinging slower ball from James Anderson, which was the kind of delivery which first announced his potential to the cricket world at the 2003 World Cup.

Dravid had made 55 and it was a crucial wicket for England, who would have been aware of his innings of 217 on the same ground five years ago.

Karthik was third out when he wafted at a short and wide delivery from left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom and was given out caught behind, though television replays suggested there may have been some doubt about the decision.

It was a rare lapse in concentration from Karthik, who has scored six half-centuries in his last six tests. He cracked 10 boundaries and one six, off Monty Panesar over extra cover.

In the same over, the second after lunch, he was dropped on 58 by Andrew Strauss at short extra cover.

Wasim Jaffer was the only wicket to fall in the morning session, for 35, when he was caught by Kevin Pietersen at third man after upper-cutting Anderson.

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