Strauss left with mixed emotions after amazing tie

ENGLAND and India tied one of the World Cup’s greatest matches after Andrew Strauss and Sachin Tendulkar each hit scintillating centuries in Bangalore.

Strauss’ career-best 158 carried England to within sight of a tournament-record run chase, which faltered thanks to the bowling of Zaheer Khan in pursuit of 338 all out.

But late hitting from Graeme Swann and Ajmal Shahzad – who smashed his first delivery for six off Munaf Patel – gave England another chance with 28 runs off the last two overs.

Ultimately, though, it was one point each for the Group B front-runners via the fourth tie in the history of the competition after Swann could scramble only a single from Patel’s final ball with eight wickets down.

Strauss admitted the tie left him with mixed emotions.

“We were in a great position to win the game after 41, 42 overs, then had a shocking powerplay and at that stage India were in a strong position to win the game,” he said. “In some ways we’re happy and in some ways we’re distraught.”

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that he feared the worse as Strauss piled on the runs.

“Andrew batted very well and it seemed at one time they would chase the score in 48 or 49 overs,” he said. “The partnership with just two wickets down and the way the two batters were batting made it difficult for our bowlers.”

England return to action in Bangalore on Wednesday when they face Ireland.