England need 35 to win astonishing final Test

BBC News

4 days ago

Fifth Rothesay Test, The Kia Oval (day four of five)India 224 (Nair 57, Atkinson 5-33, Tongue 3-57) & 396 (Jaiswal 118; Tongue 5-125)England 247 (Crawley 64; Krishna 4-62, Siraj 4-86) & 339-6 (Brook 111, Root 105)England need 35 runs to win; India need four wicketsScorecard
England need 35 more runs with four wickets in hand to beat India in an astonishing final Test after a barely believable fourth day was halted by rain and bad light.In scenes of incredible tension and in a raucous atmosphere at The Oval, England reached 339-6 in pursuit of a record-breaking 374 when the weather wiped out the final hour's play.Sublime centuries from Harry Brook and Joe Root looked to have England coasting to their target, only for India's outstanding seamers to deliver a grandstand finale.Brook, on 111, lost his bat in miscuing Akash Deep to mid-off, Jacob Bethell was bowled attempting a wild hack and a poking Root was caught behind for 105.Jamie Overton joined Surrey team-mate Jamie Smith on their home ground with 37 required. Chris Woakes, not seen since the first day because of a suspected dislocated shoulder, prepared to bat.Both Smith and Overton struggled to lay bat on ball as Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna summoned one final effort. The scoreboard barely moved.Overton had just survived a review for caught behind off Krishna when the umpires decided the light was not sufficient, then the rain arrived.It means this epic series will be concluded on Monday morning. Either England will win 3-1 or India will level at 2-2. The outcome is on a knife-edge.
Super Sunday sets up decisive final day
After seven weeks of drama, needle and outstanding cricket, perhaps it is only fitting that this memorable series will decided on the last possible day.Both sides might feel that this Test should already be won. That it is not is thanks to one of the most incredible days of sport you could ever wish to see, one that swung this way and that, then ended with neither side definitively holding an advantage.England fans were alive during Root and Brook's counter-attacking partnership of 195, spectators rising to their feet with every passing milestone. The Yorkshiremen seemingly had England on course for their second-highest run chase of all time and the best by any team on this ground.That India roared back says much about their spirit, the tireless effort of their seamers, and the energy they found from their wonderful supporters. On more than one occasion, the touring players looked to their fans, beating their chest and kissing the badge on their shirts.If anything, the end of play probably favours England. Before the stoppage, it looked like India could take a wicket with every ball. Then again, a night's rest gives the visiting seamers the opportunity to return fresh on Monday morning, with a new ball just under four overs away. There is also the prospect of the stricken Woakes coming out to bat with the Test and series on the line. What a finish.