BIRMINGHAM: England became the world's number one Test side as they beat India by an innings and 242 runs to win the third Test at Edgbaston here on Saturday.England's victory gave them an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the four-match series and meant they replaced India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table after winning this series by the required two-match margin.It is the first time England have topped the Test table since its creation in 2003.England piled up a massive 710 for seven declared their highest Test innings total for 73 years that featured Alastair Cook's career-best 294.That was in reply to an India first innings total of 224 where England seamers Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan took four wickets apiece.Fast-medium bowler James Anderson then took four for 85 as India were dismissed for a second innings 244, with the tourists much vaunted batsmen still to make 300 this series. England won with more than a day to spare for the second match in succession after their 319-run triumph at Trent Bridge.India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni top-scored in his side's second innings with an unbeaten 74.Only Sachin Tendulkar, who made 40, offered much top order resistance before his latest bid to become the first batsman to score an unprecedented 100 international hundreds ended in unlucky fashion when he was run-out backing-up.The fourth and final Test starts at The Oval on Thursday.Brief scores:India 224 (MS Dhoni 77; S Broad 4-53, T Bresnan 4-62) and 244 (MS Dhoni 74 no J Anderson 4-85) v England 710-7 dec (A Cook 294, E Morgan 104, A Strauss 87, K Pietersen 63, T Bresnan 53 no; A Mishra 3-150)Result: England won by an innings and 242 runs Series: England lead four-match series 3-0.
