CRICKET: Stand-in captain Andrew Strauss stroked 74 to guide England to a five-wicket victory over India in the sixth and penultimate one-day international yesterday.

The tourists finally clicked with bat and ball to record their first victory in the seven-match series which has already been settled with India now 4-1 up. The fifth game was washed out. England coasted to 227 for five in 42.4 overs after their seamers bowled out India to 223 all out in 48 overs.

Strauss, deputising for rested captain Andrew Flintoff, added 107 for the opening wicket with Ian Bell, who made 46. The Middlesex batsman was forced to retire with exhaustion and what appeared a hamstring niggle with England still 65 runs adrift. Paul Collingwood (23 not out) guided the tourists home along with Ian Blackwell (14 not out), who hit the winning six.