PHOTOS: Moeen Ali bags six as England crush India

Moeen Ali claimed six wickets as England beat India by 266 runs in the third Test in Southampton on Friday to level the five-match series 1-1.

It's England's first win in 11 Tests, since winning the Ashes last year. 

Ali finished with figures of 6 for 67, his first five-wicket haul. Ajinkya Rahane waged a lone battle, top-scoring for the Indians with an unbeaten 52, to go with 54 in the first innings.

Earlier, England pacer James Anderson struck twice to have India reeling early on Day Five. The England mainstay, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Wednesday, took his tally to a series leading 16 wickets - 371 wickets in 102 Tests.

- Scorecard

He first claimed the wicket of Rohit Sharma off the second ball of his opening over.

Sharma was caught behind by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler as India, starting the day on 112 for 4 in their fourth-innings, chasing 445 runs in pursuit of victory, plunged into in deep trouble. Replays suggested Sharma might have been a tad unlucky.

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However, there was no doubts as regards Mahendra Singh Dhoni's dismissal.

Much was expected of the Indian captain, who replaced Sharma in the middle.  However, he flattered to deceive, poking at an away swinger to edge a simple catch to Buttler.

But Anderson troubled the batsmen by bowling consistently in the corridor and his diligence paid off when he had Dhoni caught behind for six. It's his seventh wicket for the match.

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Moeen Ali then struck, getting through the defence of Ravindra Jadeja (15), who added 32 for the seventh wicket with Ajinkya Rahane. 

Four balls later, Ali had Bhuvneshwar Kumar caught by Anderson at gully.

It was his fourth wicket of the innings, the first two being those of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli, and 14th of the series.

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Ajinkya Rahane played with composure to reach his second half-century of the match, but his unbeaten 52 was in vain as England maintained the dominance they had shown over the first four days.

Rahane had made 54 in the first essay, this to go with his resolute 103 in the first innings at Lord's, a match that India won.

The Mumbai batsman, along with Murali Vijay, have been two in-form players for India in this series. Unfortunately, they haven't got much support from the other batsmen.

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Moeen Ali aptly took the final scalp of Pankaj Singh (9) to complete figures of six for 67.

It was his first career five-wicket haul and took his tally of wickets in the series to 15, third behind Anderson and Kumar. India paid a heavy price for underestimating him. 

And England reaped dividends for trusting him. 

The comprehensive win helped England level the series. The fourth Test starts at Old Trafford, Manchester in a week's time.