India pile on the pressure

England have drifted to 1/3 from 1/12 to win the Natwest Series after losing to India at Headingley, Ladbrokes said on Sunday.

Paul Collingwood's side are now 3-2 up with two games to play after the 38 runs defeat under the Duckworth/Lewis method. India thoroughly deserved their victory as all six top order batsmen reached double figures and made the England bowlers toil.

Collingwood had elected to field at Leeds expecting swing but after a quiet first five overs, India openers Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar put the England bowlers to the sword, including 18 off the sixth over bowled by surprise new ball bowler Jon Lewis.

Tendulkar was in regal form and finally fell to Lewis for 71 off just 59 deliveries, including 13 fours, after an opening stand of 116. Ganguly then took on the mantle and produced two massive sixes before falling to Monty Panesar.

England in reply could never find their rhythm - especially with lots of rain breaks - and when Matt Prior and Ian Bell were out after a stand of 90, no othe batsmen made significant contributions bar Collingwood who bludgeoned 91 off 71 balls in defeat.

Ladbrokes have cut India from 6/1 to 9/4 and are beginning to become concerned about the outcome of the seven match series.

Spokesman Robin Hutchison said: "We laid a £100,000 bet at 8/15 on India in play and got our fingers burned. We're now praying for an England series win as the Bollywood script currently being penned won't be good news for the bookies."

The Harrow-based firm go 5/6 about both teams for the Sixth One Day International at the Oval on Wednesday.

(Editor's Note: Are we witnessing a classic England choke? Will the home side recover from the thrashing at Leeds? Follow the latest cricket betting with Ladbrokes!)