The final Test match between England and India, at The Oval, is tantalisingly poised. It is difficult to tell which side will be at an advantage when play resumes on the fifth day with England needing another 35 runs and India needing four wickets.
England became 106-3 on the fourth morning before Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) took them to 301 when the latter holed out off Akash Deep. Jacob Bethell joined Root, but never got going, but England looked firmly on course at 317-4 at tea.
The two Indian spinners were ineffective, which forced Shubman Gill to use Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash – his fast bowlers – in extended spells. Akash bowled five wides and conceded a boundary to Bethell not too long after tea, bringing the target down to 44.
At this point Prasidh replaced Akash, and bowled Bethell, knocking over his middle stump with his fourth ball. Siraj bothered Root at the other end and, after a stretch of five balls that fetched three leg-byes at either end, Prasidh had Root caught-behind. Siraj and Prasidh beat the bat several times until early stumps were called due to bad light.
At that point, England were 339-6 with Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson at the crease. They needed 35 with four wickets in hand – but that includes Chris Woakes. Having dislocated his left (front) shoulder while fielding, Woakes had not batted in the first innings, but was spotted in whites, his arm in a sling, in the dressing-room during the chase. While there has been no official announcement on whether he will bat, he may walk out in an emergency. Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue are the other batters yet to come.
The Test is tantalisingly poised, as is the series: England can extend their 3-1 lead, while India may level the series 2-2.
5th Test, England vs India
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- Ball by ball Over
Which team will benefit more from the game being pushed to day five?
The answer to that is not easy, for there are several factors at play here.
The Indian fast bowlers got rest...
The three Indian fast bowlers had shared 49.2 overs out of 51.2 in the England first innings. Until now, they have bowled 68.2 out of 76.2 overs in the chase. In other words, they have hardly had any breaks. Had their batters batted long enough in the third innings – ideally until the fourth morning – they would have got that, but that innings lasted only 88 overs.
Heading to the team physio, followed by a good night’s rest, will do them a world of good. They know they will not have to bowl more than one spell on the fifth morning, and should be able to make one big, final effort of the tour.
... but had to come off when they were on top
At the same time, the Indian fast bowlers had to stop bowling during a phase when they seemed to be beating the bat or going up in appeal every other ball. After scoring at well above four an over, England made 22-2 in 10.2 overs since tea – and that included nine extras.
It is important that they find their rhythm straight away on the fifth morning. The target is so low that a couple of looseners may swing the game.
... and when the light was fading
Play was eventually called off due to bad light on day four. The minutes before that could not have been easy for the English batters. If the final day opens under bright sunshine, England may emerge on top.
Rain is predicted at some point in the afternoon, but the Test is likely to get over before that. Whether the morning remains bright needs to be seen.
England will get the heavy roller
A new day will grant England, the batting side, up to seven minutes of either roller. They are likely to use the heavy roller, which usually smoothens any unevenness on the surface, at least for a brief period of time. England would welcome that.
The second new ball
With the old ball darting around, the Indians were unlikely to have opted for the new ball immediately after 80 overs were bowled on day four. However, on a fresh day, they may take that call if nothing happens in the 22 balls before they have that choice.
The new ball has been significantly more effective throughout the series.
