Harmison took the last three wickets to fall as India were dismissed with more than six overs left.

Earlier paceman Alex Wharf took three for 30 on his international debut as he ripped through the top order.

Mohammad Kaif, with 50, was the only batsman to go past 30.

But one ball after reaching the landmark he became the first leg of Harmison's hattrick when he was caught behind by wicketkeeper Geraint Jones off a slower ball, having faced 79 balls with four fours.

Lakshimpathy Balaji went next, umpire David Shephred ruling he'd been caught in the slips by Andrew Flintoff although the ball appeared to strike his arm guard.

But there was no doubting the fall of last man Ashish Nehra, caught and bowled off a tame prod.

Harmison had three for 41 and followed James Anderson, who achieved the feat against Pakistan at The Oval last year, as the only Englishman to take a one-day international hattrick.

England had not lost a one-day international fielding first since suffering an 82-run defeat against India at the World Cup last year in Durban.

By contrast, they had not won one batting first since then. So it was no surprise when, after he'd won the toss, England captain Michael Vaughan chose to field.

And he was rewarded in the third over when he caught Virender Sehwag at mid-on for just four off Darren Gough after the right-hander had skied an intended leg-side pick up.

But Venkatsai Laxman soon had the large India support in a capacity, sun-drenched, crowd of 15,000 roaring their approval with a trademark wristy flick off his pads off Gough.

Wharf, on a good pitch with plenty of bounce for the quicks, came on with India 61 for one off 11 overs and started with a no-ball.

But the 29-year-old Glamorgan paceman, who took six for five against Kent in a one-day game Sunday, had a wicket with his sixth delivery.

India captain Sourav Ganguly (24) dropped at short cover by Andrew Flintoff following a fierce drive, next ball tried to pull a delivery from outside off-stump only to sky a catch to Jones.

India then saw 62 for two become 63 for three when Wharf, bowling at over 80mph, had Laxman, fending outside off-stump, caught behind for 29.

Wharf then saw Rahul Dravid caught off a top-edged hook for 13 by Gough at fine leg.

India were now 80 for four in 16 overs, Wharf taking three wickets for eight runs in 14 balls, and their innings never recovered.