Birmingham, July 30 - India lost 1-3 to England in the first of the three matches of their hockey Test series here.

The match was played under a torrential downpour Wednesday night. England led 2-1 at half-time and scored through Ben Hawes (1st minute), Barry Middleton (18th) and Richard Smith (68th).

The lone Indian goal came from Dhananjay Mahadik in the 8th minute from the first of five penalty corners.

After an opening ceremony that included the Lord Mayor of Birmingham meeting the two teams, England got off to a perfect start with a goal inside 60 seconds through Hawes.

Two minutes later England earned their first of 10 penalty corners but Ashley Jackson's effort was thwarted by Vikram Pillay.

India earned their first penalty corner six minutes later.

The ball from Gurwinder Chandi found its way to Mahadik courtesy V.S Vinaya's dummy and the Indian armyman flicked the ball inside the post to equalise.

England took the lead again in the 18th minute, scoring through their fourth penalty corner.