England’s spellbinding sequence towards India will get the gripping end it so richly deserves after dangerous gentle and rain prolonged the fifth Check at The Kia Oval right into a closing day.
England are 339-6 and wish an extra 35 runs to tug off their second-highest run chase of 374 and safe a 3-1 sequence win after six weeks of excessive drama, with India requiring 4 wickets for a 2-2 draw.
There stays a definite chance Chris Woakes – who suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder fielding on day one that will rule him out of The Ashes – is required to bat, with the stricken all-rounder seen in his whites whereas carrying a sling late on the fourth day.
The hosts had appeared all however sure to win the sport after Harry Brook (111 off 98 balls) had punished a pricey fielding error from Mohammed Siraj to attain a scorching tenth Check century – his first within the fourth innings of a Check – and share a 195-run, fourth-wicket stand with Joe Root (105) from 106-3.
Brook skied Prasidh Krishna to deep tremendous leg on 19 the place Siraj, who had simply returned to the sphere, trod on the boundary cushion after taking the catch and shortly coated his face in embarrassment.
It was a merciless second for Siraj, whose skilful and snarling bowling spells have helped maintain India within the sequence over the previous couple of weeks.
Siraj had dismissed Zak Crawley from the ultimate ball on day three to go away England 50-1 after which pinned stand-in skipper Ollie Pope (22) lbw the next morning after Ben Duckett (54) had snicked Krishna into the slip cordon.
Brook and Root’s partnership then took England to inside 73 runs of victory – earlier than a dramatic twist.
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One of the best of Harry Brook’s century off 91 balls towards India within the fifth Check.
Brook misplaced his bat as he sliced Akash Deep to mid-off whereas when Krishna cleaned up a charging Jacob Bethell (5) after tea after which had Root caught behind with 37 runs required, India, who had appeared to expire of vitality and concepts earlier on, had been all of a sudden alive.
Siraj and Krishna bowled difficult deliveries to Surrey duo Jamie Smith (2no) and Jamie Overton (0) earlier than dangerous gentle, initially, after which a heavy downpour ensured that play wouldn’t be capable to resume earlier than the 6.42pm cut-off, organising an absorbing Monday finale.
Extra to comply with.
England vs India – outcomes and schedule
All video games at 11am UK and Eire; all on Sky Sports activities
