England clinch remarkable comeback

A shirtless Andrew Flintoff celebrates after securing a dramatic 3-3 draw in Mumbai

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In the first of the latest series of classic England photo stories, ecb.co.uk looks back at the remarkable 2001-02 tour of India which culminated in a miraculous escape act by Nasser Hussain’s side.

Hussain led a weakened England party, missing the likes of wicketkeeper-batsman Alec Stewart and the recently-retired Michael Atherton, and suffered a 1-0 defeat in the Test series before Christmas.

The six-match one-day series began in the new year with a close contest at Kolkata in which India triumphed by 22 runs. Dinesh Mongia put the hosts on their way to a total of 281 for eight.

England opener Marcus Trescothick looked to be guiding England to victory but his dismissal for 121 sparked a collapse as his side failed to use their last six overs.

The tourists levelled the series in Cuttack as Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood both struck fifties to post 250 for seven.

Darren Gough, who had pulled out of the Tests, claimed 3-46 as India were dismissed in 48.4 overs.

The hosts struck back by four wickets at Chennai as seamer Agit Agarkar’s 4-34 restricted England to 217 all out in 48 overs.

Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag replied with an opening stand of 107 before India reached their target with 3.2 overs to spare.

They extended their lead to 3-1 by an eight-wicket margin in a weather-affected encounter at Kanpur.

Nick Knight’s 74 helped England to a competitive 218 for seven from 39 overs but Tendulkar and Sehwag again shared a century partnership as India romped to victory in just 29.4 overs.

Captains Sourav Ganguly and Nasser Hussain share the one-day international series trophy

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With their backs against the wall England kept the series alive by a narrow margin in Delhi.

Opener Knight produced a timely 105 to set up a total of 271 for five.

India captain Sourav Ganguly kept his side in the hunt with 74 but Ashley Giles produced a man-of-the-match 5-57 as England prevailed by two runs.

That left England needing to win in Mumbai to level the series and secure what had seemed an unlikely share of the spoils.

Trescothick’s 95 gave the tourists a fighting chance as they were all out for 255 in the 50th over.

Ganguly’s 80 put his side on course for a series victory but India’s tail faltered in front of an expectant home crowd.

Hussain entrusted all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who had been criticised for his weight, with the final over and he did not disappoint.

Flintoff affected the run out of Anil Kumble and clean up Javagal Srinath first ball to dismiss the hosts five runs short of victory.

He celebrated by ripping off his shirt before being mobbed by his jubilant team-mates.

To view the photo story, click on the image of Flintoff