London: After England's stunning innings and 46 runs rout by India in the third Test on Monday, the British media on Tuesday literally wrote off the home side not only for the World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy but even for the current series.

"Blown to pieces," "Humbled England crumble to Kumble", "Kumble leaves England facing a test of resolve," "England suffer mettle fatigue", "Sad England bowled over", "It's not a disaster...yet" were some of the headlines the leading dailies and tabloids bannered today.

"Forget the World Cup, forget Australia and certainly forget that irritating political hot potato, the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next month.

"After yesterday's crushing defeat by India at Headingley, England have far more pressing matters to worry about, namely the outcome of a Test series they were heavily favoured to win only a week ago," 'Daily Mail' wrote.

"Nasser Hussain's dreams crumbled in two hours yesterday after India clinched a decisive third Test victory at Headingley," Daily Star, another tabloid stated.

The England captain admitted that they had been "thoroughly outplayed" as they suffered defeat by an innings and 46 runs.

They now travel to The Oval next week at one-all, threatened with the possible ignominy of losing a home series to Saurav Ganguly's team, 'Daily Mail' observed.

"India now fancy its chances of taking the Npower series in next week's final Test," commented 'Daily Express'.

"If a series is decided by momentum, India look unstoppable as they close in on its first win outside the Asian sub-continent for 16 years at The Oval next week.

"After securing a draw at Trent Bridge, even though India surrendered a first- innings deficit of 260, yesterday's innings victory - its first for 24 years - was welcomed by ear-splitting celebrations from its fans at Headingley, priming the fireworks for the final Test.

"Throw in the celebrations for Sachin Tendulkar's 100th Test, and Diwali in Delhi may be made to look like the lighting of a couple of damp sparklers by comparison," the tabloid stated.

India has not won a major Test series outside the sub-continent for 16 years - its last one was sealed at Leeds - but after dispensing this comprehensive hammering it will rightly harbour hopes of laying that dreadful statistic to rest.

Nasser Hussain, whose magnificent rearguard action ended on 110, wasted no time in firing off the first psychological salvo by declaring that the pressure will all be on the tourists to make history.

Rahul Dravid's superbly measured 148 rightly won him the man-of-the Match award and confirmed his place among the highest echelons of international batsmen. Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar were imperious and left-armer Zaheer Khan, who nudged 90 mph in this match, bowled with genuine hostility, the tabloid said.

Extras:
Ganguly asks Indian players to maintain high standards