Edgbaston, India beat England by 63 runs

England have crashed out of the World Cup by the narrowest of margins following their 63 run defeat by India at Edgbaston. England finished on six points, equal with both India and Zimbabwe in Group A, but their inferior run rate meant that they were eliminated from the tournament, the first time they have ever failed to reach the latter stages of a World Cup competition.

Conditions were cold and grey on Sunday morning for the resumption of the rain interrupted innings with England requiring 160 off 29.3 overs . The players came out to inspect the wicket early, but all eyes were cast to the heavens with the heavy showers forecast looking a distinct possibility. With the ground barely quarter full, the game had effectively become a sudden death play-off for qualification to the Super Six stage and there was an underlying sense of tension and nervousness amongst both sets of supporters.

Play began at 11.15 and Neil Fairbrother stole just a single off Debashish Mohanty's interrupted over as Javagal Srintath opened from the other end, varying his approach between over and round the wicket, but both England batsman ran hard and looked to push every available single. Seven came from the first two overs as the ground started to fill up and echo with the sound of Indian klaxons and drums. Venkatesh Prasad immediately replaced Mohanty and conceded just a single off his first over and both openers bowled tightly as the batsmen looked to play themselves in. But with the score on 81, Srinath struck a vital blow, trapping Thorpe LBW with a ball which appeared to be heading down the leg side and Andrew Flintoff emerged into a cauldron of noise, as the crucial early wicket sent the Indian supporters into flights of ecstasy.

Anil Kumble immediately replaced Srinath and settled into tidy rhythm, but Fairbrother drove the returning Mohanty through the covers to post the first England boundary of the day. With the Indian fans ironically chanting "England's going home", Andy Flintoff looked slightly nervous at the crease in the face of some economical Indian bowling. Mohanty continued to impress, but Fairbrother carved him over point for another boundary and then drove him through mid-off for 3 and the following ball, Flintoff's false stroke flew over the keeper to bring up the England hundred.

Fairbrother was in good touch and continued to work the ball for singles, as Sourav Ganguly replaced Mohanty, but with the run-rate already creeping above the six mark, England needed some big overs to relieve the pressure. Flintoff appeared to want to take Ganguly on, twice giving him the charge, but was unable to find the boundary. In Kumble's next over Flintoff launched him for the maximum off the first ball, but was soon trapped LBW by the leg spinner to leave England dangerously placed at 118-5.

England hopes now rested squarely on the shoulders of Fairbrother and incoming batsman Adam Hollioake and the pair scampered some quick singles to keep the score ticking over. With the total on 130 and facing a run rate over seven, Hollioake attempted an ill advisaed slog over midwicket and was trapped plumb in front by Anil Kumble as England's hopes of winning the match were dealt the severest of blows. Just one over later, the last recognised batsman Mark Ealham also departed, edging Ganguly to Mohammed Azharuddin at first slip and the Indian drums and klaxons seemed to be beating out the funeral march for England.

With Darren Gough flailing away outside the off-stump at the other end, Fairbrother gave Ganguly the charge, edging to keeper Nayan Mongia and didn't even bother looking at the umpire as he headed back towards the pavilion. The jubilant Indian supporters knew that barring a miracle, their team had the game won and their ecstatic celebrations echoed around the ground. Angus Fraser joined Gough in the middle but with just ten overs to go and just two wickets left, England needed a unfeasible 97 just to stay in the tournament.

With the game if not quite dead, then at least requiring life support, Gough struck a couple of lusty blows to give England supporters some cheer and the hundred and fifty came up as he slapped Prasad over wide mid off in the 43rd over. The Indian bowlers toiled through their final spells but the match had effectively ended as a spectacle and there was little of the tension or excitement which usually accompanies the denouement. Gough desperately seeking a six, holed out to Kumble at deep midwicket off Prasad and as Mullally came to the crease, the Indian supporters massed around the boundary for the traditional pitch invasion. They didn't have to wait long as Srinath shattered Mullally's stumps and with England hopes buried, the Indian celebrations began.