DURBAN, Feb 26: Barely-fit Ashish Nehra produced the third-best bowling figures in World Cup history to rout England by 82 runs as India took a huge step towards the Super Sixes on Wednesday.

The left-arm seamer braved the pain from a sprained left ankle to take a career-best six for 23, including the wickets of Nasser Hussain and Alec Stewart with successive balls.

The 23-year-old also dismissed Michael Vaughan and Paul Collingwood in an impeccable display in the Group ‘A’ encounter.

England’s batsmen, chasing India’s 250 for nine, simply could not put bat to ball as Nehra, Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan bowled excellent lines, darting the ball around in the evening conditions.

Nehra, bowling over the wicket, concluded his 10-over spell with a double-wicket maiden. His figures, the best by an Indian in a World Cup, were also the best of the 2003 tournament.

For England, at one stage on 107 for eight before being dismissed for 168 in the 46th over, the only consolation came in the shape of Andrew Flintoff. He hammered 64 from 73 balls, including three sixes, against India’s support bowlers.

The result gave India 16 points, the same as Group ‘A’ leaders Australia, which may already be enough for the next phase. India play Pakistan in their last match.

England will have to beat world champions Australia in their final outing to keep their hopes alive. Hussain’s side have lost their last 13 one-dayers against the Australians.

Scoreboard

INDIA 250-9 in 50 overs.