London, August 13:

England looked set to secure a draw in the final Test against India when it reached tea at 232-3.

England added 110 in the second session for the loss of captain Michael Vaughan (42). Vaughan edged a wide delivery by Sree Santh to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The draw will avert a 2-0 series loss that would leave India just behind second-place England in the Test standings, but would not be enough to preserve England’s six-year unbeaten streak in home series.

Set 500 to win when India declared its second innings at 180-6 on Sunday, England lost openers Andrew Strauss (32) and Alastair Cook (43) before lunch. Vaughan and Kevin Pietersen built a 66-run third-wicket partnership to steady the innings, but the home side’s scoring rate stayed far too low to seriously trouble the target.

Pietersen, who was 71 not out at tea with Paul Collingwood on 23. With the ball moving about and a draw still to play for, Pietersen reach his total despite speeding up considerably after lunch.

England had resumed on Monday at 56-0 and had added just 21 runs when Strauss (32) was caught by Laxman off RP Singh. Cook followed shortly caught by Laxman off Anil Kumble.