HAMPSHIRE'S Chris Tremlett felt the full force of a remarkable Indian batting performance in the third and final Test at the The Oval today.

The Rose Bowl seamer returned figures of 1-132 as the tourists rattled up 644 - their highest ever score against England.

Anil Kumble hit a maiden international hundred to undermine England's bid for a series-levelling victory in south London.

England need to win to preserve a six-year unbeaten record in Test series on home soil but India posted a gargantuan total as every one of their batsman recorded double figures.

That tally was their biggest ever against England in 97 matches while no side has won a Test after conceding a score in excess of 600.

England, left with eight overs to occupy in the final session, closed the second day on 24 for one - after Andrew Strauss perished hooking at Zaheer Khan.

To make matters worse, England emerged after tea without swing bowler Ryan Sidebottom, who was taken to a local hospital for a scan after reporting soreness in his left side.

Sidebottom did not bowl after midday today, following a seven-over burst first thing.

Kumble came to the crease with the Indians 417 for six, when Sachin Tendulkar edged Jimmy Anderson to Andrew Strauss at slip for 82.

Initially the 36-year-old was understudy to Mahendra Dhoni (92) in a stand of 91 which culminated when the latter attempted to hit Hampshire star Kevin Pietersen's occasional off-spin for a third six in one over.

But he accelerated to dominate the scoring alongside fellow tail-enders Zaheer Khan, Rudra Pratap Singh and Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, reaching three figures when he inside-edged Pietersen for four.