Hussain: Life is good at the moment

Nasser Hussian today celebrated England's third consecutive Test victory of the summer and said: "Life looks good at the moment."

Hussain's men had to work hard for nearly three hours in the stifling heat of Lord's before finally dismissing India for 397 and claiming their well deserved 170-run win.

But the visitors' last day resistance in the First npower Test of a four-match series merely made success all the sweeter for England.

"I'm really proud of the team," said Hussain, who had led from the front by scoring 155 during his side's first innings. That effort earned him the man-of-the-match award but the captain refused to single out any individual for extra praise.

"Everyone has got wickets and everyone has got runs," he said.

England finished the season's first Test series with a bang by beating Sri Lanka at both Edgbaston and Old Trafford.

Here, though, they started as second favourites against India after losing star batsman Marcus Trescothick and bowlers Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick and Alex Tudor to an assortment of injuries.

But those absentees merely created room for the likes of debutmaking fast bowler Simon Jones and veteran all-rounder Craig White - both of whom took their chances to shine. It was White who finally clinched victory this afternoon.

The Yorkshireman ended a lastwicket stand of 63 by having No 11 Ashish Nehra well caught low down at third slip by Graham Thorpe.

India - set an impossible 568 to win - had started the last day on 232 for six. Then, with 64 runs added, they lost their last specialist batsman when Jones had Venkatasai Laxman (74) caught at backward point by Michael Vaughan.

That wicket looked as though it would open the door.

But No 8 Ajit Agarkar, with a previous Test best of 41 and five ducks in six innings earlier this year, blasted his way to a superb unbeaten century.

Matthew Hoggard dismissed Anil Kumble (15) and White sent back Zaheer Khan (7) before lunch. Agarkar, though, had climbed to 109 from 190 balls with 16 fours before White struck the decisive blow this afternoon.

"We've had injuries but people have come into the side and done well," added Hussain. "This was a real team effort.

"Things look good at the moment, although the way India batted could be an ominous sign for the rest of the series."