Highlights, India vs England, 5th Test at The Oval, Day 4, Full Cricket Score: England need seven wickets to win

India vs England Day 4 Review LIVE from The Oval in London.

This is beautiful!

ALLY ALLY COOK! #ThankYouChef pic.twitter.com/98z0wKm8Bh

— England's Barmy Army 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) September 10, 2018

After 18 overs,India 58/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 46 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

STUMPS!

India end the day on a better note than it was expected after the three wickets fell. Five fielders were put around Rahane for the last two balls but Rahane was able to counter it well. 

The day belonged to England and Alastair Cook. He will come back again tomorrow in Test whites, and try to win this Test for his country. 

A long day awaits tomorrow for Rahane, Rahul and the others to follow.

Alright, Moeen Ali with the final over of the day.

After 17 overs,India 58/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 46 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

Stokes continues, his last over of the day. Rahul has got a boundary whenever the opportunity to get one has come. The second last ball of the over, sprung and swung, to Rahul’s surprise but missed the edge to Stokes’ dismay. Rahul answers back with a flourshing cover drive to end the over with a boundary.

FOUR! Fullish from Stokes and he drives it beautifully through the covers for a boundary.

FOUR! On Rahul’s thighs, he taps it to fine leg to pick a boundary.

Stokes continues

After 16 overs,India 50/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 38 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

Moeen Ali changes end. Probably because there is more rough to take advantage of from this end. Rahane quietly plays the over.

Moeen Ali changes end and replaces Curran.

After 15 overs,India 49/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 37 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

Alright, Ben Stokes is here. He usually does not go back thirsty. In the last few overs remaining, England would want to get a wicket at least.

Ben Stokes, comes into attack

After 14 overs,India 48/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 37 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

Curran carries on. Lovely stroke making from Rahane and the kind of batsman that he is, who likes to get the feel of the ball on the bat, we can hope that he is here to stay for long. As I write this, the last ball beats Rahane’s edge. Watch out, just 4 overs left today.

Curran continues.

After 13 overs,India 48/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 37 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

Moeen Ali continues. Trying to pitch it on the rough and get the extra turn and bounce. Rahul reverse-sweeps one to third man. This is so good to see. Even if India fails to negate the coming period in this Test, the fight should be on and Rahul is pioneering this thought.

FOUR! Rahul continues to be brave, reverse sweeps Moeen Ali on the turn with the slip in place, fetches boundary at third man.

Moeen Ali comes into the attack.

After 12 overs,India 42/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 32 , Ajinkya Rahane 9)

Curran takes the ball in hand now. Curran had picked Rahul in the first innings and that was a peach of a delivery. But here he is covering the line and playing.

Sam Curran comes into the attack.

After 11 overs,India 41/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 31 , Ajinkya Rahane 9)

So, spin comes into play. Root sees that the ball has stopped doing magic for the pacers, so first change is not Stokes but Ali. The rough patches might come into play and you have to admit that this is good captaincy from Root, who is not playing the waiting game.

Moeen Ali brought into the attack.

After 10 overs,India 40/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 30 , Ajinkya Rahane 9)

Broad continues. He has begun firing in those inswingers. 8 overs to go. India, it seems, will be able to hang in there till tomorrow.

After 9 overs,India 36/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 27 , Ajinkya Rahane 8)

Anderson continues. Rahul slashes again on the first ball. He is not minding playing his shots. India playing this phase well.

FOUR! Alright this is brave stuff from Rahul, fullish and swinging away, plus wide, Rahul gives it a full stretch, flashes and the edge takes it to third man in a jiffy.

Anderson continues.

After 8 overs,India 28/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 19 , Ajinkya Rahane 8)

Broad continues. Rahane plays a lovely push shot to cover and that crunchy sound yet again rungs. Calmness brought into this innings after these lovely shots from Rahane and Rahul. India need more and more of these.

FOUR! Damn, again that crunchy sound and this is not even hit with force from Rahane, just comes forward and pushes the ball to covers and leans on it. Pure timing. This is the Rahane we know.

Broad continues.

After 7 overs,India 24/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 19 , Ajinkya Rahane 4)

Anderson continues and the sound that is coming when the ball is meeting the middle of the bat is lovely, also reflective of the fact that this is a good track to bat on. Rahul plays a soothing cover drive on the fourth ball and again that sound is rung in our ears thanks to the stumps mic. Pity, on this lovely batting track, India are three wickets down so early in the innings.

FOUR! Ah, this is special, heals the wounded heart if you are an Indian fan, swinging away from Rahul, he plays a gorgeous cover drive.

Anderson continues.

After 6 overs,India 15/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 12 , Ajinkya Rahane 2)

Broad continues. Rahul is looking solid in this innings. Has played some flashy shots despite the Indians losing three quick wickets. Rahane and him need to make sure they play out the remaining overs today, that should be the first target.

FOUR! Short and wide, Rahul flashes the blade, and fetches a four to right of third man.

Most LBW dismissals in a Test series:

45 – India in England, 2018*

43 – The Ashes, 1981

43 – West Indies in England, 2000

43 – Pakistan v England in U.A.E., 2011/12 

42 – Australia in West Indies, 1998/99

After 5 overs,India 8/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 7 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

Anderson comes in again. Close call on the third ball of the over for Rahul’s LBW. Umpire wilson said no, Root said DRS, third umpire called it no as well. This is a fiery stuff from the two top-class pacers from England.

Most runs by an Indian batsmen in a Test series in England 

602 – Rahul Dravid, 2002

593 – Virat Kohli, 2018

542- Sunil Gavaskar, 1979

FOUR! Flash from Rahul, the ball flies through the gully for a boundary.

After 4 overs,India 2/3 ( Lokesh Rahul 1 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

Oh my! India are 3 down. The best batsman on this tour – Virat Kohli – is back to dressing room. Just 18 overs were to be bowled today but it seems Indians want to finish the match very soon. Anderson has 2, Broad has 1. India have seven more left. 464 is the target for the best touring Indian side (as per the Indian head coach) in the last 20 years.

Golden duck for Virat Kohli in Tests:

v Australia, Melbourne, 2011

v England, Lord’s, 2014

v England, The Oval, 2018*

Anderson equals Glenn McGrath… Pujara sent packing. India struggling already. Pujara ran out of time to even review that.

James Anderson has now equalled Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 wickets. Currently, both are highest wicket-takers among pacers in the whites.

OUT! Hold your breath, oh you lovers of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli has edged this one into the hands of Bairstow. This is a golden duck for him, first in this series. Kohli c Bairstow b Broad 0(1)

Broad comes racing in.

After 3 overs,India 1/2 ( Lokesh Rahul 0 , )

Dhawan perishes. Yet again, to an inswinger from round the wicket. Sigh. He must have had many thoughts while going back. Pujara too is gone. India are 2 down.

OUT! This time it is Pujara, trapped on the back foot, he had a long chat with Rahul before deciding to go for DRS but the umpire told him that he had taken too much time to decide and tell. He will have to go. Anderson equals McGrath’s tally of Test wickets. Pujara lbw b Anderson 0(3)

Dhawan gone for 1. Front and across, and Anderson has his man. This should be his last overseas Test innings, if not his last Test innings altogether.

OUT! Dhawan goes back. Anderson fires in an inswinger from round the wicket, trapped him in front of the stumps. This walk back to dressing room will have many thoughts come across in his mind. Dhawan lbw b Anderson 1(6)

Anderson continues.

After 2 overs,India 1/0 ( Lokesh Rahul 0 , Shikhar Dhawan 1)

Broad comes in running to Dhawan from round the wicket. The last innings’ dismissal must be appearing in Dhawan’s mind. He takes single off the third ball to calm nerves down. The problem with this opening pair is both of them are out of form and cannot neither of them can help protect each other or give some confidence from the other end. Hopefully, before leaving England, Dhawan and Rahul will announce their arrival with the bat.

Stuart Broad comes in running from round the wicket to Dhawan. Mind you, he got Dhawan out bowling from round the wicket on previous occasion.

England declare. Cook leads them out. Lost count of the number of standing ovations he has got in this Test. 

464 is the target. You feel that there are two results possible, and it is up to India to make a fight of it.

After 1 overs,India 0/0 ( Lokesh Rahul 0 , Shikhar Dhawan 0)

Alastair Cook leads the England team into the ground. Anderson bowls the first over, KL Rahul on strike and he plays a lovely cover drive to start with, but to no avail. Four slips in place. Despite the heavy target, India need to be positive. They need to score on every run-scoring opportunity, not aiming to win the match, but to stay afloat with that thought till the last ball of the Test is bowled.

KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan come out and they will try and chase down 464 runs. 

Cook is leading the team in his last outing on a cricket pitch. James Anderson to bowl the first over.

Ravindra Jadeja conceded 258 runs in this match – the sixth most by an Indian bowler in a Test match and most by any Indian bowler in a Test in England.

England have declared and set India 464 to chase. India have 18 overs to bat out today.

OUT! Sam Curran comes down the ground to club one. But top edges it and Pant gets under it to gobble it up. 

Sam Curran c Pant b Hanuma Vihari 21(30)

After 112 overs,England 417/7 ( Sam Curran 15 , Adil Rashid 20)

Expensive over from Jadeja. 12 in the over. Rashid’s batting on 20 off 14…

FOUR! Lovely shot. Rocks back to this delivery and opens bat face to guide it to the backward point fence.

Lead is 450… England not entirely on the attack but have notched up a couple gears. Easily looking at 470-500 target and an hour or so to bowl at India. This is set up nicely for an English win from here.

FOUR! Flight outside off, Rashid goes down the track and lofts it straight down the ground for a one-bounce boundary.

Most catches by fielders in a Test series for India:

14 – KL RAHUL v England, 2018*
13 – Rahul Dravid v Australia, 2004/05
12 – Eknath Solkar v England, 1972/73

After 111 overs,England 405/7 ( Sam Curran 15 , Adil Rashid 8)

When the lead’s over 400 and you have got nothing to lose, you see Adil Rashid paddle sweeping like a champion. It went fine but Jadeja cut it off. Two runs. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Rashid shimmies down the track and drives a full toss to the cover fence.

After 110 overs,England 398/7 ( Sam Curran 15 , Adil Rashid 1)

England have lost their 7th wicket. But the declaration doesn’t come. 11 come in this over. England lead by 438 runs.

OUT! Stokes departs. Goes for a big shot over cow corner but holes out to Rahul. Third wicket for Jadeja

Stokes c Rahul b Jadeja 37(36)

FOUR! Short but doesn’t bounce much. Stokes says back and smacks it through extra cover.

SIX! Jadeja bowls one quicker through the air and Stokes hammers it over long on.

After 109 overs,England 387/6 ( Ben Stokes 27 , Sam Curran 15)

A rare over where Shami doesn’t beat a batsman on the outside edge. Seven come in the over.

Ravindra Jadeja conceding 150-plus runs in a Test innings:

v England at Southampton, 2014 (1st innings)
v Sri Lanka at Colombo (SSC), 2017 (3rd innings)
v England at Kennington Oval, 2018 (3rd innings)*

FOUR! Short and into Stokes. The southpaw uppercuts it over the cordon.

After 108 overs,England 380/6 ( Ben Stokes 22 , Sam Curran 14)

OUCH! Stokes goes for a sweep. Connects. But the ball goes onto it Hanuma Vihari on th helmet, who is deployed at short leg. Seems fine to continue after getting some medical attention.

FOUR! Sam Curran goes back to this slightly short delivery and slaps it in front of square on the off side.

After 107 overs,England 372/6 ( Ben Stokes 19 , Sam Curran 9)

Shami steams in. Shami beats the outside edge. Shami has a frustrated look on his face. Shami walks back. His story in this match. Two more times he does that apart from conceding seven runs in the over.

FOUR! Too full and on the sticks. Stokes drives it down the ground.

After 106 overs,England 366/6 ( Ben Stokes 14 , Sam Curran 8)

Jadeja continues. A couple of singles in the over.

The players are back on the field. Ravindra Jadeja will continue.

Tea, Day 4: India might have taken a few wickets in this session. But England lead by 404 runs. Will England declare?

After 105 overs,England 364/6 ( Ben Stokes 13 , Sam Curran 7)

Shami to bowl the final over of the Tea. Has a resigned look at the end of the over. Why you ask? As he beats Stokes on the outside edge once again. The edges have eluded him in this match. Did that on the first ball as well but that was against Curran.

After 104 overs,England 361/6 ( Ben Stokes 13 , Sam Curran 4)

The lead is 400. Three singles come in this over. When will England declare?

After 103 overs,England 358/6 ( Ben Stokes 12 , Sam Curran 2)

What an over from Shami. Draws the outside edge twice and both times the ball dies on Virat Kohli at first slip. Apart from that, Shami also beat Stokes on the outside edge.

After 102 overs,England 357/6 ( Ben Stokes 12 , Sam Curran 1)

Jadeja has two wickets. Almost didn’t get his second one as he was very close to overstepping. The heel was in the air and since it’s not clear the advantage went to the bowler.

OUT! Jeez. England are managing to collapse despite being in a strong position. Buttler tries to chip it over mid off and it takes the leading edge and Shami takes catch at point. 

 Buttler c Shami b Jadeja 0(2)

Two wickets in quick succession… and you feel England are going for quick shots. They already have enough to enforce a favourable result.

After 101 overs,England 355/5 ( Ben Stokes 11 , )

Shami bowled some of the best balls that he could in the first innings but didn’t get a wicket and here is getting a wicket because the batsman chopped on!

OUT! Shami strikes. Bairstow’s mini cameo comes to an end. Looks to drive it on the up and inside edges it onto his stumps. 

Bairstow b Shami 18(27)

FOUR! Short and wide and Bairstow craks it through cover-point.

After 100 overs,England 344/4 ( Jonny Bairstow (W) 13 , Ben Stokes 10)

A quiet over from Jadeja after Shami’s 12-run over. One off the over.

After 99 overs,England 343/4 ( Jonny Bairstow (W) 12 , Ben Stokes 10)

New ball not doing anything so far. Shami’s not hitting the right lengths as well. 12 runs come in this over.

FOUR! Another one. Too full again and outside off, Stokes just drives it through extra cover.

FOUR! Too much room outside off and Stokes smacks it through cover.

After 98 overs,England 331/4 ( Jonny Bairstow (W) 9 , Ben Stokes 1)

Jadeja continues from the other end. Concedes five runs off the first two balls and ends the over with two dots.

FOUR! Jadeja tosses it outside off and Bairstow stays leg side and sweeps it over mid on.

After 97 overs,England 326/4 ( Jonny Bairstow (W) 5 , Ben Stokes 0)

Shami hasn’t bowled the best of overs with the new ball. Happens when the opposition is leading by 361 runs and you have got only one wicket despite bowling one of your best spells in your career.

FOUR! Short and outside off, Bairstow fancies a cut and sends it to the point fence.

Most runs from first and last career Tests combined:

425 – Bill Ponsford
396 – Andy Sandham
392 – Reginald Foster
382 – ALASTAIR COOK*
369 – Lawrence Rowe

Second new ball has been taken. Kohli tosses the ball to Kohli.

Alastair Cook:

– Most runs by a visiting batsman in Asia in Tests (2710)
– Four times part of The Ashes winning team (2009, 2010/11, 2013, 2015)
– Only player to score 10,000-plus runs while opening the batting in Tests
– Fifth player to score a century in career’s first and last Test
– Most runs by a left-handed batsman in Tests
– Most centuries in 3rd innings of Test cricket (13)

Test career stats:

Innings – 291
Runs – 12472
Centuries – 33
Average – 45.35

First wicket of the day for India… Root gone trying to attack Hanuma Vihari…And that’s two in two… Cook is gone. End of a great career and we might not see the likes of him again in this era of T20 cricket. Vihari on a hat-trick…

After 96 overs,England 322/4 ( Jonny Bairstow (W) 1 , Ben Stokes 0)

Jadeja to Bairstow. A much better over. Tested his defence. Jonny gets off the mark with a single to cover.

After 95 overs,England 321/4 ( Jonny Bairstow (W) 0 , Ben Stokes 0)

A double wicket maiden for Hanuma Vihari. He dismisses Cook and one of England’s finest batsman takes the final walk back to the pavilion. Gets a thunderous applause as expected. Root waits for him near the dressing room, shakes his hands. What a career! Ends with 12,472 runs.

OUT! Hanuma Vihari is on a hat-trick! Cook goes for the cut and nicks it behind. Pant gobbles it up. Cook’s international batting career has come to an end. 

Cook c Pant b Hanuma Vihari 147(286)

OUT! Guess what? India have a wicket. Vihari’s first. Loops this outside off, Root goes for the slog sweep and holes out to Hardik Pandya at deep square leg. 

Root c (sub)Hardik Pandya b Hanuma Vihari 125(190)

After 94 overs,England 321/2 ( Alastair Cook 147 , Joe Root (C) 125)

Jadeja continues. The lead is 361 now. These two seem to have no intention to attack or declare anytime soon.

After 93 overs,England 319/2 ( Alastair Cook 146 , Joe Root (C) 124)

A quiet over from Vihari. The first ball turns from the rough. Two runs in the over.

After 92 overs,England 317/2 ( Alastair Cook 145 , Joe Root (C) 123)

Jadeja continues. If anything, the over rate would be great today. Small joys.

Alastair Cook involved in 250-plus stands in Tests:

With Jonathan Trott v Australia, Brisbane, 2010
With Jonathan Trott v Sri Lanka, Cardiff, 2011
With Joe Root v India, Kennington Oval, 2018*

After 91 overs,England 315/2 ( Alastair Cook 144 , Joe Root (C) 122)

250-run stand between Cook and Root. This is a series where 250 seemed to be a winning total. Kind of explains three things: 1) How poorly Jadeja has bowled in this innings, 2) The pitch is flat, 3) Cook and Root have applied themselves very well.

After 90 overs,England 311/2 ( Alastair Cook 141 , Joe Root (C) 121)

Jadeja returns. An LBW appeal on the second ball against Root. But Jadeja’s bowling form around the wicket. Dharmasena just smiles. Even Joe Root’s kid will know that pitched outside leg.

After 89 overs,England 310/2 ( Alastair Cook 141 , Joe Root (C) 120)

Vihari returns. These are the drawbacks when you strengthen the batting line-up and drop the fifth bowler. India had to do that after the four Test matches. But goes onto show that it’s a risky move. Five runs in Vihar’s over.

After 88 overs,England 305/2 ( Alastair Cook 140 , Joe Root (C) 116)

The 300-run is up for England. The lead’s 345. What target would they be aiming? 400? 450? What do you think?

England past 300 now. There is no energy in the game at the moment, except Cook and Root piling on the runs. 400-450 target at least.

After 87 overs,England 299/2 ( Alastair Cook 135 , Joe Root (C) 115)

That phase of the game where director switches to visuals of the city because the action is pretty dull if you are not an England fan. Four in the over. 

England are ahead by, you ask? Too many…

After 86 overs,England 295/2 ( Alastair Cook 134 , Joe Root (C) 112)

Jadeja will continue bowling from one end till the declaration comes. He is into his 34th now and has bowled ONLY three maidens. Allows two singles in this one.

After 85 overs,England 293/2 ( Alastair Cook 133 , Joe Root (C) 111)

Bumrah continues but near the fence, Shami is lying down as Indian physio treats him. This tour is coming to a horrific end for India. If Shami breaks down, Kohli will have no one to go to.

After 84 overs,England 289/2 ( Alastair Cook 132 , Joe Root (C) 108)

India seem to have given up. Jadeja, of all bowlers, is offering freebies.

This is now the highest stand for England in the second innings of a Test for them against India surpassing Paul Collingwood and Andre Strauss’ stand of 214 runs which they added at Chennai in 2008.

FOUR! Jadeja creates chance. From around the wicket, he bowls one outside off, Cook nicks but it goes wide of the first slip.

FOUR! Poor. Too short from Jadeja. Cook goes back, adjusts to the bounce and punches it through cover.

After 83 overs,England 281/2 ( Alastair Cook 124 , Joe Root (C) 108)

Bumrah comes back. Rest for Shami. India are literally fighting it out with three bowlers. Feel for them. They have been doing brilliantly throughout the series and it has ended in this fashion for them.

After 82 overs,England 279/2 ( Alastair Cook 123 , Joe Root (C) 107)

Watching Jadeja is a joy. His fielding… well it is an exhibition. Concedes five off the over though.

FOUR! Runs. Slightly short from Jadeja. Cook rocks back and cuts it to the point fence.

After 81 overs,England 273/2 ( Alastair Cook 122 , Joe Root (C) 102)

Shami keeps bowling. No second new ball for India. Kohli knows it will leak runs. Not that the situation is any different with the old ball… Eight runs off the over.

FOUR! Loose. Length and outside off, Root strides forward and drives it through cover.

After 80 overs,England 265/2 ( Alastair Cook 116 , Joe Root (C) 100)

Root gets his hundred. The conversion jokes will die a slow death now. Jokes apart, this has been a terrific century from the captain.

And a fourth Test hundred for Root… Been a long time coming this. You can see it in his exultation. It’s a special moment for him seeing how Cook is at the other end and he spoke so highly of him before the game. 

Did take two dropped chances though but that’s not Root’s fault.

Most centuries for Root against an opponent in Tests:

4 v India*
3 v Australia

His last century before today came in August, 2017 against Windies at Birmingham (27 innings ago).

CENTURY! The long wait comes to an end for Joe Root. The conversion jokes will surely end now. Joe Root has a hundred. It is his 14th; his first in over a year. Gets there with a single.

After 79 overs,England 263/2 ( Alastair Cook 115 , Joe Root (C) 99)

The over starts with anticipation of a Root hundred and Cook gives his captain the strike on the second ball. But Root plays out the over.

FOUR! Short of a length from Shami, Cook goes for the pull and hits it firmly. Karun gives it a chase, goes for the slide but his knee gets stuck in the turf. Would be painful for him.

After 78 overs,England 258/2 ( Alastair Cook 110 , Joe Root (C) 99)

India are going through the motions. With no signs of Ishant Sharma anywhere, this seems like another session where we will see a lot of leather hunt. Root and Cook are piling on the runs. Root gets to 99 with a sweep.

After 77 overs,England 253/2 ( Alastair Cook 109 , Joe Root (C) 96)

DROPPED! India want Joe Root to get his ton? He edges one and Pant goes for it with a dive. Maybe that confused Pujara. But it was a catch that should’ve been taken. Root collects two. He is on 96…

India looking short of energy already. Things need to brighten up for them, but how. 
 
Well wickets are an option but you need to hope catches. Root gets another life on 94*, Pant flies in front of Pujara who drops at first slip.

After 76 overs,England 251/2 ( Alastair Cook 109 , Joe Root (C) 94)

Jadeja goes around the wicket against Joe Root. A defensive move and much expected. Two singles.

After 75 overs,England 249/2 ( Alastair Cook 108 , Joe Root (C) 93)

The session begins just how it had ended. Cook looks daunting. India leak runs. Virat Kohli’s misery continues.

FOUR! Width. Short and outside off and Cook punches it through cover.

The players are back on the field. Can India do something miraculous?

After 74 overs,England 243/2 ( Alastair Cook 103 , Joe Root (C) 92)

LUNCH CALLED!

Not going to write more on how good England have been this morning. Time for India to reflect on their performance in the last three sessions of the Test. Bowlers took time to get their line-length right, a catch was dropped, shoulders were down, even a usual chirpy Kohli was unexcited.

Reaching century with a 5 in Test cricket

Neil Harvey v India, Melbourne, 1948 

Alastair Cook v India, Kennington Oval, 2018*

After 73 overs,England 240/2 ( Alastair Cook 103 , Joe Root (C) 89)

Great effort from Bumrah but yet no wickets. He has given it his all but the results have not been too sweet.

Bumrah continues. Should be the last over before Lunch.

After 72 overs,England 238/2 ( Alastair Cook 102 , Joe Root (C) 88)

Jadeja continues. Root and Cook have been excellent in this session. Not having an iota of doubt in mind and lack of self belief while playing their shots. They have made runs at a quick pace as well. India down at the moment and Kohli’s expression tells us that every second in the middle is like a hour for this Indian team.

FOUR! Sweep from Root, fetches a boundary through the mid-wicket

Jadeja continues.

After 71 overs,England 232/2 ( Alastair Cook 101 , Joe Root (C) 83)

Bumrah continues. The last 2 days has been the worst for India in the Test series. Earlier, the bowled well and always looked to get a wicket or two or were unlucky to get any breakthrough but this bowling performance has been below par. Ishant’s absence from the field is hurting them as well. He has been a top bowler in this Test as well but his service is not available at this time.

Most centuries in 3rd innings in Test cricket:

13 – ALASTAIR COOK*

12 – Kumar Sangakkara

Bumrah continues.

Century in the first and last Test:

Reggie Duff

Bill Ponsford

Greg Chappell

Mohammad Azharuddin

ALASTAIR COOK*

They really love him, oh they really love him. That was a LOOOOONG standing ovation as Alastair Cook becomes the fifth batsman ever to score a century in his first and last Tests. Brilliant hundred, superb concentration and dogged determination to get these runs. He has made the pitch and the occasion count. Cook will be signing off on a high!

After 70 overs,England 231/2 ( Alastair Cook 101 , Joe Root (C) 82)

The Chef has hit a memorable hundred in his last Test innings of Test career. Wonder how many batsmen have been able to achieve this feat. A rare feat to say the least and what a knock this has been. Cook, who looked in troubled throughout the series, has looked untroubled in this innings. He is yet not finished and will look to further the lead.

HUNDRED for Cook!

Emotional scenes as Cook cuts it for a single to point but overthrow helps him get to the milestone. Hundred on his last Test innings. What an effort, what an achievement, what a career he has had. The business is yet not closed. He has a hundred but the biggest high will be to get his team to a victory in his last Test.

Jadeja continues.

After 69 overs,England 225/2 ( Alastair Cook 96 , Joe Root (C) 81)

Bumrah continues. This is a classic innings from Cook, never looked uncomfortable between the 22-yards. He is on 96, just 4 away from a historic ton in his last innings.

FOUR! Classic from Cook, straight drive from him to the fullish delivery from Bumrah, races to 95.

Keen sense of anticipation at the Oval… Cook is in his nineties. They all want one thing, and one thing only.

Bumrah continues.

After 68 overs,England 217/2 ( Alastair Cook 90 , Joe Root (C) 80)

Vihari continues. This is the first time in the series that England’s top order has looked to invest time in the middle and has been successful at it. Weird to see this happening to a side which is 3-1 up in the series. Cook meanwhile enters into 90s.

The last Test century from an English opener came in December, 2017 when Cook made 244* runs against Australia at Melbourne. He is 11 runs away from the milestone right now…

After 67 overs,England 214/2 ( Alastair Cook 89 , Joe Root (C) 79)

Jadeja continues. Cook is looking a bit conscious now as he is approaching the 100-run mark. India need to cash in on here.

Jadeja continues.

After 66 overs,England 213/2 ( Alastair Cook 89 , Joe Root (C) 78)

Vihari continues and he has been pretty average to be honest. This is turning out to be a disappointing session for India.

Vihari continues.

After 65 overs,England 210/2 ( Alastair Cook 89 , Joe Root (C) 77)

Jadeja carries on. India’s morale in this Test is very down. Captain Kohli, who is usually very chirpy and has spring in his foot, is looking down too. This is England’s match from here and India, well, now need to fight to settle for a draw.

Jadeja continues

After 64 overs,England 208/2 ( Alastair Cook 88 , Joe Root (C) 76)

Vihari continues and bowls round the wicket to Cook. He is unfussed. There is no sting in the bowling and Cook is looking well-settled for a hundred in his last Test innings. Not to forget, he hit one in the maiden Test against India.

Vihari continues

After 63 overs,England 205/2 ( Alastair Cook 85 , Joe Root (C) 76)

Jadeja continues. The session has been really bad for India. 91 runs in 20 overs is really a bad performance from the bowling side . Did not pick wickets and let the pressure tab open so early in the day.

FOUR! Cheeky from Root as he peddle sweeps Jadeja for a boundary to fine leg.

Jadeja continues.

After 62 overs,England 194/2 ( Alastair Cook 80 , Joe Root (C) 71)

Hanuma Vihari comes into the attack to bowl his gentle off spinners. Kohli had no option but to turn to him, the lack of genuine fifth bowler is hurting the team but the others need a break and Vihari can bowl a few overs here to provide the same.

Hanuma Vihari, right arm off-break comes into the attack.

After 61 overs,England 188/2 ( Alastair Cook 78 , Joe Root (C) 67)

Shami continues and bowls a perfect yorker to Root. Uses his skills to good effect, Root was shocked to get that delivery. But a boundary has ruined the over yet again.

FOUR! Short ball from Shami and he has been pulled for a four to deep mid-wicket.

Shami continues

After 60 overs,England 182/2 ( Alastair Cook 77 , Joe Root (C) 62)

Jadeja comes into the attack. Has been hit for a six and the lead is building on and on. England are scoring quickly now. At the same time, India have chance to pick wickets.

SIX! Loopy delivery from Jadeja, Root comes out and dispatches it over the bowler’s head for a maximum.

Alastair Cook is now the highest run-getter among left-handed batsman in Test cricket, going past Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of 12,400 Test runs.

Jadeja continues.

After 59 overs,England 174/2 ( Alastair Cook 76 , Joe Root (C) 55)

Cook has 12401 runs in Test cricket as of now, has surpassed Kumar Sangakkara. In the elite list now, fifth highest run-getter in Tests, an achievement to savour in his retirement life. This is turning out to be a memorable farewell for him. Take a bow, Chef!

Shami continues.

Dropped. Rahane misses a chance at slip. Went quickly at hime and he spilled it. These have been taken, so that was definitely a slip from Rahane. Not having a great Test he is.

After 58 overs,England 169/2 ( Alastair Cook 74 , Joe Root (C) 53)

Jadeja continues. A quiet over yet two runs have come from it. India need wickets. Lead is now 210 runs.

Jadeja continues.

After 57 overs,England 167/2 ( Alastair Cook 73 , Joe Root (C) 52)

Shami continues. Two half-hearted appeals made for LBW, once for Cook and then for Root. Both turned down. Over ruined by boundary on the last ball. A deserving fifty for Root, who is looking really good now.

FOUR! FIFTY for Root, short pitched, outside the off stump and Root guides it to third man for a boundary.

Shami continues

After 56 overs,England 161/2 ( Alastair Cook 72 , Joe Root (C) 47)

Lousy stuff from India. Rahane has dropped a regulation catch at first slip. Yes, it came in no time but that is the art of slip catching, if it is within your reach, you should take it or make way for someone who is better at job. Sadly, there is no one right now better at this job in this team than Rahane.

DROPPED! Jadeja fires in an angled delivery to Root, takes the edge and is goes at rapid pace to Rahane at first slip, who drops it.

After 55 overs,England 158/2 ( Alastair Cook 70 , Joe Root (C) 46)

Mohammed Shami comes into the attack. Just 2 runs from the over but we can see that the batsmen are unfussed in the approach. They want to score quick runs and give a strong total for India to chase in short time. Lead is touching 200 now. 198 right now.

Mohammed Shami brought into the attack.

After 54 overs,England 156/2 ( Alastair Cook 69 , Joe Root (C) 45)

Jadeja continues, and he is coming from round the wicket this time to Root. However Root sweeps him on the second ball of the over. The repeat of the same shot on the last ball of the over. Costly over for India.

FOUR! Same delivery and same shot, same area and same result, Jadeja swept for a boundary.

FOUR! Jadeja fires in from round the wicket and Root sweeps it from the pitch of the ball for a boundary to deeop mid-wicket.

Jadeja continues, comes round the wicket to Root.

Update: Ishant Sharma is off the field with pain in ankle. Being assessed by Indian team physio.

After 53 overs,England 146/2 ( Alastair Cook 69 , Joe Root (C) 35)

Bumrah continues. Was cut for almost a boundary but a certain Ravindra Jadeja ran like a cheetah from third man to deep point region in friction of seconds to stop it. He is having a brilliant Test. England have scored at a decent rate this morning. The partnership is now 84 runs.

Bumrah continues.

After 52 overs,England 141/2 ( Alastair Cook 65 , Joe Root (C) 34)

Jadeja continues and brings in a silly point. But he has pitched the first delivery short and as a result got hit for a boundary.Two off the next two balls and two dots to end the over. Jadeja leaked six runs but needs to stick with this plan for the next few overs.

Heavy roller and this pitch usually dies in the morning session. We haven’t really seen too many wickets fall here in the first hour or the first session altogether. The story is similar today. At some point, England will start thinking of a target. Not yet, but soon enough.

FOUR! Short and a little room on the off stump line, enough for Cook who cuts it for a boundary.