The third day's events had suggested that the match would produce only one result — a draw. But the Indian bowlers made a brave attempt to alter the script with a tenacious show. Unfortunately, it was just not good enough to bring the final turnaround as the Indians' four-day match against Sussex met its predestined end.

The Indians declared their second innings closed at 184 for eight, leaving Sussex to score 273 from a maximum of 55 overs. The home side survived a set of charged up rival bowlers to cling on for a draw. Sussex made 190 for nine.

The Indian bowlers made a perfect start with S Sreesanth getting rid of Chris Nash early in the innings and the other batsmen, barring opener Richard Montgomerie, failed in their attempt to stay at the crease.

Montgomerie, who added 50 runs for the fourth-wicket with Michael Thornley, fell to Anil Kumble for a well-made 59 and the end seemed nigh for the county champions, but Robin Martin-Jenkins and Jason Lewry batted out a little over seven overs to deny the Indians a victory.

Earlier, India had started the day on a shaky note in the face of some hostile bowling from Kirtley and Jenkins. Overnight batsmen Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Kaarthick survived a tough period, against Kirtley in particular.

Lethal duo
The former England bowler generated genuine pace and bounce from the pitch that left the Indian batsmen searching for answers. His partner Jenkins, who relied more on swing than pace, was also not far behind. Together, they formed a lethal combination.

The first to depart was Yuvraj. The left-hander edged a rising delivery to Andrew Hodd behind the stumps and Kirtley's exaggerated celebration was more of relief than joy.

Jenkins soon joined the party with two quick wickets — Kaarthick and Gautam Gambhir — to push the Indians to an unsteady 81 for five. The dismissals prompted skipper Rahul Dravid to come out of the dressing room for the first time in two days.

The calf sprain that he picked up while batting in the first innings on the opening day forced him to employ Kaarthick as runner. The old firm of Dravid and V V S Laxman looked good for another big alliance, but Saqlain Mushtaq had other ideas.

The former Pakistan off-spinner snared Laxman for the second time in as many innings when he once again deceived the Hyderabadi with extra bounce and turn. His dismissal pushed India further into trouble at 104 for six. In the first over after lunch, Sussex skipper Michael Yardy dismissed Kumble and Sreesanth off successive deliveries to have the Indians on the mat.

Dravid, a mute spectator to the carnage at the other end, found an unlikely, but able, ally in Rudra Pratap Singh. Dravid and RP Singh, who struck some meaty blows, shored up the innings.

The performance might also have a chastising effect on the Indians as it should keep them on their toes ahead of the first Test, beginning in just over a week's time in Lords.

SCORE BOARD

INDIANS (I Innings): 388/7 decl.

SUSSEX (I Innings): 300/6 decl.

INDIANS (II Innings, o/n 21/2): Dinesh Kaarthick lbw Jenkins 33 (81b, 6x4), Wasim Jaffer lbw Lewry 4 (10b, 4x1), Mahendra Singh Dhoni c Nash b Lewry 11 (11b, 2x4), Yuvraj Singh c Hodd b Kirtley 18 (32b, 3x4), Gautam Gambhir c Hopkinson b Jenkins 7 (26b), VVS Laxman c Hodd b Mushtaq 16 (23b, 4x4), Rahul Dravid (not out) 30 (53b, 2x4), Anil Kumble c Thornely b Yardy 13 (23b, 2x4), Sreesanth c Thornely b Yardy 0 (1b), RP Singh (not out) 41 (46b, 7x4). Extras (B-6, LB-5) 11. Total (for 8 wkts decl, 51 overs) 184.

Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Jaffer), 2-19 (Dhoni), 3-62 (Yuvraj), 4-76 (Kaarthick), 5-81 (Gambhir), 6-104 (Laxman), 7-120 (Kumble), 8-120 (Sreesanth).

Bowling: Jason Lewry 8-1-31-2, James Kirtley 12-4-31-1, Robin Martin-Jenkins 7-3-13-2, Saqlain Mushtaq 4-1-10-1, Oley Rayner 9-2-37-0, Michael Yardy 7-0-31-2.

SUSSEX (II Innings): Chris Nash c Ishant b Sreesanth 0 (9b), Richard Montgomerie lbw Kumble 59 (83b, 10x4), Michael Yardy c Kaarthick b RP Singh 5 (16b, 1x4), Carl Hopkinson c Gambhir b Bose 6 (19b), Michael Thornely b Kumble 11 (39b, 2x4), Andrew Hodd (run out) 4 (13b), Martin-Jenkins (not out) 45 (87b, 6x4), Oley Rayner b RP Singh 3 (3b), Mushtaq c Laxman b Sreesanth 9 (27b, 1x4), James Kirtley lbw Kumble 8 (20b, 2x4), Jason Lewry (not out) 8 (24b, 2x4). Extras (B-10, LB-9, W-3, NB-10) 32. Total (for 9 wkts in 55 overs) 190.

Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Nash), 2-18 (Yardy), 3-46 (Hopkinson), 4-96 (Thornely), 5-106 (Montgomerie), 6-120 (Hodd), 7-123 (Rayner), 8-152 (Mushtaq), 9-173 (Kirtley).

Bowling: Sreesanth 14-3-42-2, RP Singh 11-4-28-2, Ranadeb Bose 8-2-26-1, Anil Kumble 20-4-57-3, Yuvraj Singh 1-0-5-0, Gautam Gambhir 1-0-8-0.