Prior ton sets up declaration

England set injury-hit India a record run chase of 458 to win the 2,000th Test after a magnificent century from Matt Prior helped them declare on day four at Lord's.

Ishant Sharma (four for 59) had threatened to spoil the hosts' plans with a superb spell of pace bowling which left them rocking at 62 for five before lunch.

But wicketkeeper Prior (103 not out) cracked his sixth Test ton and all-rounder Stuart Broad made an unbeaten 74 before England declared on 269 for six with more than two hours of play left in the day.

No side has ever successfully chased more than 344 to win a Lord's Test, and India's problems were further complicated by fitness concerns over three players.

Rules prevented Sachin Tendulkar batting higher than seven after a viral infection kept him from fielding until after tea, while Zaheer Khan (hamstring) and opener Gautam Gambhir - who was taken to hospital after being hit on the elbow at short-leg - were also concerns.

England resumed this morning on five without loss and Alastair Cook mustered just one single in 27 balls before feathering Praveen Kumar to Mahendra Singh Dhoni behind the wicket.

India tightened things up well to frustrate England and had their reward when Andrew Strauss went to sweep Harbhajan Singh and was pinned lbw for 32. Kevin Pietersen (one) then gloved a rising delivery from Sharma to Dhoni having been beaten for pace and bounce.

Ian Bell followed Pietersen back for a duck, nicking a fuller delivery as Sharma located the rhythm that had conspicuously evaded him on the first two days. Having been 54 for one, England had lost three wickets in 10 balls for the addition of a single run.

Jonathan Trott (22) was the next to fall to the revitalised Sharma, who this time speared one through the batsman's defences to topple him for 22. Eoin Morgan was late on the pull and lobbed a chance to Gambhir off the bowling of Sharma. Morgan reviewed his diving catch but could not be saved and exited for 19.

But Prior and Broad rescued the hosts and taking the lead past 400 was the pair's cue to cut loose and Prior raced to his ton with a flurry of boundaries - including a massive six - before being waved back to the pavilion by captain Strauss.