It’s going to be a Monday morning thriller to settle the cricket series between India and England after bad light and rain brought an early closure of play in the fifth and last Test, with England requiring another 35 runs to triumph.
England on the Brink of Historic Chase
England was on 339-6 at the end of day four on Sunday, in pursuit of a total of 374. England has a 2-1 lead in the series.
India must take another four wickets maybe three to win and level the series.
Woakes Injury Leaves England Vulnerable
England potentially possesses only three wickets remaining due to all-rounder Chris Woakes’s shoulder injury. Woakes was spotted in his cricket whites at the Oval on Sunday but with his left arm in a sling amid speculation that he would emerge at number 11 if necessary and bat one-handed.
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Joe Root was once more England’s hero on Sunday with 105 runs, and Harry Brook made 111, as England set out to achieve yet another breathtaking run chase.
Tailenders at the Crease
The wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (2 not out) and bowler Jamie Overton (0 not out) are in.
England overcame 371 in the Leeds opener, its highest run chase at Headingley.
Root and Brook had struck what appeared to be series-sealing Test centuries Root’s 39th and Brook’s 10th when India came storming back to stage an enthralling day five conclusion as the two batsmen wobbled with the win within their grasp.
Jacob Bethell also dismissed himself to a horror shot, mounting the pressure on England.
Turning Point: Brook’s Dismissal
England was poised to complete its most ambitious pursuit of the Bazball era, and the second-highest in history, with seeming ease. But its late collapse began when Brook chucked his bat and wicket away against Akash Deep, skying a catch to mid-off. Century in his 30th test made Brook the quickest man to 10 hundreds in 70 years. Brook had cost India dearly for failing to get him out on 19 before lunch, when Mohammed Siraj held Brook but over the rope boundary.
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Then the nervous Bethell gave a ugly swipe to bring down his stumps, before Root was behind caught in a wicket maiden for Prasidh Krishna (3-109), with still 37 runs remaining for the hosts to be needed.
Root and Brook had turned the match around in a lazy afternoon session following India’s morning session victory and being strongly favored at lunch.
