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Kent's Zak Crawley and Sam Billings help England beat India at Edgbaston as side complete record chase

Kent duo Zak Crawley and Sam Billings helped England beat India on Tuesday - doing so with a sensational run-chase.

Set a target of 378, an England record, the home side thrillingly moved to 259-3 by the end of day four on Monday before they got over the line at Edgbaston on the final morning.

Kent's Zak Crawley. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Kent's Zak Crawley. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Opener Crawley contributed 46 in the second innings but the 24-year-old was bowled by India stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah.

But Kent captain Billings - alongside England skipper Ben Stokes - were not even required with the bat second time around as Joe Root (142 not out) and in-form Jonny Bairstow (114 not out) got them over the line inside 77 overs with centuries.

Fielding first, India posted 416 all out, as Crawley and wicketkeeper Billings took two catches apiece.

Under-pressure Crawley only contributed nine in England’s first innings total of 284 but 31-year-old Billings (36) fared slightly better.

Crawley took a further three catches in India’s second innings, as they were 245 all out, before England completed their chase in incredible style.

Kent captain Sam Billings. Picture: Barry Goodwin
Kent captain Sam Billings. Picture: Barry Goodwin

The match was the rearranged fifth Test between England and India after last year’s series came to an abrupt end - with the Test cancelled on barely a few hours' notice after a Covid outbreak in the India camp - with the five-game series finishing 2-2.

England start a three-match T20 series against India from Thursday before a three-game One-Day International series against the same opposition.

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