England go into the final day tomorrow, needing three wins to wrap up the best-of-15 series.

Today's doubles were played on an alternate shots format -- on each visit, the teammates alternately played a shot, like in table tennis doubles. The change in format, however, did not blunt Mike Russell and David Causier's smooth play.

They started with a break of 135, and ended the first game on their third visit. An unfinished break of 115, and a 96 in the third was enough, as nerves continued to get the better of India's top two players.

Sethi was cueing better, but Patel missed shots at key moments to let England go 6-1 up. Patel later said, ``my formhas not been good. It's just one of those things, like Tendulkar getting out for a duck.''

It was again left to the big-hearted Shandilya and Joshi to clear the pie from India's face. After a tense first game that ran even till Shutt missed a shot at 146-121 and allowed India back, Shandilya seized the initiative. Under his influence, Joshi grew in confidence and the two rung up breaks of 98 and 91 in the second and third games to win 151-146, 151-112, 150-83.

RESULTS

England 6 India 2 (overnight 5-1): Mike Russell & David Causier bt Geet Sethi & Nalin Patel 3-0 (151-3, 150-70, 152-50); Peter Gilchrist & Chris Shutt lost Ashok Shandilya & Devendra Joshi 146-151, 112-151, 83-150.