Victorious India just perfect: Hussain

Leeds, August 26: England skipper Nasser Hussain said India came close to perfection in trouncing England to win the third test at Headingley on Monday.

"They almost had the perfect test match. We have been outplayed in all departments," Hussain said.

"You must give them credit. They played exceptionally and Rahul Dravid's innings was one the best I have ever seen."

Dravid won the man-of-the-match award after making 148 in India's innings of 628 for eight, their highest test score outside India. Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 193 as the touring side won by an innings and 46 runs to level the series 1-1.

Hussain was less complimentary about his own side, saying they had failed to bowl or field well. England dropped six catches in India's innings. "We didn't even bat that well," Hussain said, despite his back-to-the-wall 110 out of a second innings of 309

"We have had a bad performance here. The curve is not always upward. We have to react now."

India's spinners, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, bowled in tandem for the first time at Headingley and shared 11 wickets. Skipper Saurav Ganguly admitted India had been wrong to leave off-spinner Harbhajan out of the first test, while leg-spinner Kumble was unfit for the second.

"I don't want to make predictions for the last game but we're pretty happy," Ganguly said.

"All the wickets have turned."

The fourth and final test starts at The Oval on September 5.