NOTTINGHAM (England), Aug 9: England’s labouring pace attack took three wickets for 10 runs, including that of Saurav Ganguly, to check India’s progress on 302 for eight on a rain-affected second day of the second Test Friday.

Ganguly, after a highly entertaining 68, left the Trent Bridge pitch with a thunderous expression on his face after being given out caught behind off a Matthew Hoggard delivery.

The disgruntled Indian batsman clearly felt the ball had come off his arm guard on the way to the wicketkeeper.

Minutes before tea India, who had spent the whole morning in the pavilion waiting to resume on 210 for four after overnight rain, had looked healthily placed on 285 for five.

But Ajit Agarkar then fell for a 39-ball 34 after a 67-run partnership with his captain and 17-year-old wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel began his Test career with a duck as pace bowler Steve Harmison, another debutant, took two wickets for one run.

Ganguly’s dismissal came immediately after the break, as he looked to clip a rising Hoggard delivery to fine leg only to spoon the ball to Alec Stewart.

Shortly after his exit — having batted for just under four hours and hitting 11 boundaries — the rain began to spatter down again and play was soon abandoned for the day. Only 25 overs were bowled with just 91 in total over the first two days.

If the morning had been frustrating the crowd at least had Ganguly to thank for some rich entertainment in the afternoon as he injected life into a gloomy, pedestrian contest.

England’s all-seam attack, bowling such a defensive line on the first day, opted for greater audacity on the second and were immediately rewarded when Vangipurappu Laxman fell for 22 as he failed to add to his overnight score.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff induced the batsman to dab forward at an outswinger which flew at a comfortable height to Robert Key at first slip.

Ganguly, who failed twice in the defeat at Lord’s and who played and missed regularly at the start of his innings, had every right to retreat into his shell with the score on 218 for five and the conditions still favouring swing bowling.

Meanwhile, England fast bowler Darren Gough was Friday sidelined for the rest of the summer with injury and will undergo more surgery on his troublesome right knee.

Gough, who missed 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka, returned for the tri-nation one-day series against India and Sri Lanka, but has been sidelined since.

After pulling out of England’s 170-run win in the opening test against India at Lord’s, complaining of pain, Gough was advised to rest for two weeks.

But after experiencing swelling and discomfort, a visit to his specialist confirmed he had to undergo a second keyhole surgery. It’s his third knee surgery in six months.

Gough will miss the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka in September although he was named in England’s 15-man tour party. His replacement will be announced soon.

“This is a setback for me and it’s going to be very disappointing to miss so much of cricket,” Gough said. “But I know that I can come back from this and at least I know I have 11 weeks to concentrate on getting myself ready to have one last crack at the Australians in the Ashes this winter.”