It also ended a run of 10 Tests without a win for Alastair Cook's side and saw the captain himself return to form with two fifties, although it could all have been so different had he been caught in the slips on 15 in the first innings.

"Now everyone knows what it's like (to win), the challenge is 'can we repeat that at Old Trafford, and try to win the series?'," said Cook.

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England had another 'victory' less than a day after their Southampton success. James Anderson escaped a ban after International Cricket Council code of conduct commissioner Gordon Lewis dismissed disciplinary charges brought against him by India following his alleged confrontation with Ravindra Jadeja during the drawn first Test in Nottingham.

Given the fast-medium bowler, man-of-the-match in Southampton with a return of seven for 77, is the series' leading wicket-taker with 16, England's relief was understandable.

However, the ICC said Tuesday they were looking into Lewis' decision to both clear Anderson and rescind Jadeja's 50 per cent match fee fine.

Nevertheless, Anderson — now just 12 shy of equalling Ian Botham's England Test record of 383 wickets — remains free to play at Old Trafford, his Lancashire home ground.

An injury to Liam Plunkett, dropped from the third Test team, has seen England recall Steven Finn. 'Unselectable' Finn was sent home early from England's disastrous tour of Australia.