England have made a strong start to their pursuit of a daunting 368-run victory target against India in the fourth Test, which appeared delicately poised heading into the final day at The Oval.
Openers Haseeb Hameed and Rory Burns guided England to 0-77 at stumps with the hosts needing 291 runs to go 2-1 up in the five-Test series.
Hameed was 43 not out at stumps, while Burns was unbeaten on 31 but the home side will need to pull off something special on Monday to accomplish a record chase.
England’s highest successful run chase was when they achieved a 359-run target in a 2019 Headingley Test against Australia.
Earlier, India’s No.8 batsman Shardul Thakur smashed his second 50 of the match and Rishabh Pant his first of the series to help India post 466, the highest total of the series.
The 100-run seventh wicket partnership between Thakur (60) and Pant (50) was followed by cameos from tailenders Umesh Yadav (25) and Jasprit Bumrah (24) as the tourists recovered after losing three wickets, including captain Virat Kohli, in the morning session.
Chris Woakes (3-83) was pick of the English bowlers again, claiming a match haul of seven wickets to go with his breezy 50 in the first innings of what is his first Test in 12 months.
After India resumed on 3-270, England captain Joe Root brought back Woakes to end Kohli’s 59-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja, and the seamer responded with two quick wickets.
Woakes trapped Jadeja LBW for 17 and, in his next over, sent back Ajinkya Rahane for a duck in a similar manner.
With left-hander Pant at the crease, Root introduced Moeen Ali, who got Kohli (44) caught at slip six runs shy of what could have been the batsman’s third 50 in as many innings.
Thakur had smashed a 36-ball 57 in the first innings and he followed with a relatively restrained 60, which included a six off Ollie Robinson (2-105).
Both batsmen, however, fell in successive overs — Thakur edging Root to slip and Pant giving a return catch to Moeen soon after completing his half century.
Yadav clobbered a couple of sixes, while Bumrah smashed four boundaries against a jaded English attack.
India batsmen Rohit Sharma (knee) and Cheteshwar Pujara (ankle) did not field and were being assessed after complaining of niggles.
There were jitters in the touring camp as coach Ravi Shastri tested positive for COVID-19 and the team were cleared to play after the players returned two negative results.
Paul
Roar Guru
No, I agree with you Ian and said as much in a piece a few weeks ago. If England are to be any chance, IMO, they have to treat this as a 3 Test series and go all out at the Gabba, Adelaide and the MCG. If they're two up with two to play, they can rest some guys in Sydney & the WACA, knowing a drawn home series, for Australia, is the equivalent of a defeat - and that would be a worst case scenario. In terms of Woakes, I look at what Tharkur did in this game. Two really valuable knocks and 3 wickets, including Ollie Pope in the first dig and Rory Burns & Joe Root in the second. That's a pretty good return from a number 8 bat and a 3rd change bowler and that's what Woakes should be able to do in the Ashes.
Paul
Roar Guru
And Ashes series for any fast bowler is a seriously tough ask, so if Broad is not 100% right to go, at his age, then he needs to pull out as soon as the current series is over and give Test cricket away all together then. He certainly seems to have his future mapped out for himself. I've read a few pieces he's written, so media will be a pretty god career path.
Ian
Roar Rookie
I didn't!
Sedz
Guest
First day India was 127/7 after first session. No one would have thought of this result after five days on what was a wonderful test. Rohit and Bumrah were exceptional equally a lot of credit goes to Thakur for his first innings counter attack. I believe that took the momentum away from England. But I feel this England batting is weak and except Root I don't have confidence in any other batsman.
Micko
Roar Rookie
England were 0-100 at one stage. Lost 10-110! :shocked:
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
If I may, I do not want to sound disrespectful, but if England can not handle Shardul and Umesh's bowling, they better not show up in front of Pat Cummins and co. :laughing: Fantastic efforts from the bowlers, again both with bat and bowl. Shardul was the game changer. Rohit was fantastic. Time to give jinx a break. Virat and Che needs to do more. Barely two hundred first innings score is not good enough. Till next match :happy:
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
It was a bad day to bet :laughing:
Sedz
Guest
Oh Bumrah is sensational to be honest. He doesn't have five for to show but his bowling on this flat deck has been top class.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
What was this clown on about?
Ian
Roar Rookie
He was cleaned bowled again! When you see the replay you'll see his bat wasn't in the same post code as the ball....and please don't,please don't get me started on Englands new vice captain...Moeen...I can't bat,I cant bowl but I'll still get my central contract.
JGK
Roar Guru
I got 140s when England were none for!
JGK
Roar Guru
Bumrah to Root is quality cricket.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Seriously, there's no excuse for this between day 4 and day 5 wicket.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Nah. He’s burned me big time! England deserve what they are about to get here! — Feel for Rooting Joe though.
Ian
Roar Rookie
You're a sage Jeff....Saint Johnny Bairstow....You might love him a touch more than I do at the moment.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I’ll give you 100-1 against if your book is still open?
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Seem to have no interest in avoiding defeat either...
Ian
Roar Rookie
Bairstow!!!! :angry: :angry: :angry: He'll be dropped and we'll bring back Buttler...Happy Days!!!!!!!
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Seriously. What bufoons thought England had a chance here....
JGK
Roar Guru
What a collapse!