In a dramatic end to one of the most gripping Test series in recent years, England find themselves hanging by a thread at The Oval, relying on an injured Chris Woakes to pull off a miracle on the final day. With just one wicket remaining and 17 runs still needed to win the fifth Test and seal a 3-1 series victory, England’s hopes rest on Woakes, who is nursing a serious shoulder injury and was seen batting left-handed with his arm in a sling.
Broad Sums Up Chaos as Oval Finale Grips Fans
Former England pacer Stuart Broad captured the tension and disbelief in a post on X, writing, “Don’t know how I feel about any of this right now. How is Chris Woakes feeling?! Test cricket hey. This series has been superb and what a finish. Woakesy to hit the winning runs left handed? Nothing is out of the question!”
Don’t know how I feel about any of this right now. How is Chris Woakes feeling?!
Test cricket hey. This series has been superb and what a finish. Woakesy to hit the winning runs left handed? Nothing is out of the question! Siraj heroic. Doing plenty!— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) August 4, 2025
His words echo the mood around the cricketing world as the final Test heads toward an electrifying climax on Monday morning.
India Roar Back After Brook-Root Show
England closed Day 4 at 339/6 with Jamie Smith on 2* and Jamie Overton yet to score. Earlier in the day, Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) appeared to guide England to a comfortable win with a century each. Brook, who had been dropped on 19 before lunch, was eventually dismissed by Akash Deep, opening the floodgates for a stunning Indian fightback.
Arm in a sling, Chris Woakes has arrived to the crease 😱 pic.twitter.com/D4QDscnfXE
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 4, 2025
The turning point came when Prasidh Krishna delivered a brilliant wicket maiden to remove Joe Root, caught behind, ending what looked like a match-winning stand. Providing crucial breakthroughs at the exact time, Krishna finished with figures of 3-109.
Siraj Delivers Decisive Blow
As Day 5 resumed, India looked to be on the back foot with England requiring just 35 runs and four wickets in hand. Prasidh Krishna leaked runs early in the morning, giving away back-to-back boundaries and briefly letting the hosts regain control.
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But then came Mohammed Siraj’s spell that turned the game on its head. Siraj dismissed Jamie Smith, caught behind by Dhruv Jurel. Just a few balls later, he trapped Jamie Overton leg-before, swinging the momentum firmly back in India’s favour.
Prasidh Krishna then returned to clean bowl Josh Tongue, forcing the last man, Chris Woakes, to walk in.
Woakes’ Heroic or Hopeless Gamble
In a surreal moment that epitomised the grit and drama of this series, Woakes came out to bat with his injured left shoulder visibly strapped beneath his shirt. Choosing to bat left-handed due to the sling, his mere presence at the crease fuelled hopes of a memorable finish for England — or heartbreak in front of a packed Oval audience.
While England clings to the slim chance that Woakes can pull off a miraculous finish, India is getting closer to tying the series at two. Now, the result depends on a single wicket, a single moment, and a courageous, battered cricketer sandwiched between two of the game’s titans.
