Brook, Root Steady England After Early Blows in Oval Chase

Brook, Root Steady England After Early Blows in Oval Chase

England’s hopes of pulling off a record-breaking chase at The Oval remain alive after Harry Brook and Joe Root launched a spirited counterattack on the fourth morning of the fifth Test. At lunch, England were 164 for 3 in pursuit of 374, needing a further 210 runs to beat India and secure a 3-1 series win.

India had the better of the first hour, striking twice to leave England teetering at 106 for 3. However, Brook and Root steadied the innings with a positive 58-run stand in just 10.3 overs, keeping the contest finely poised.

The morning began with promise for India as Prasidh Krishna removed Ben Duckett for 54, drawing him into a loose drive outside off stump. KL Rahul held a sharp catch at second slip to provide the breakthrough. Mohammed Siraj followed it up with a crucial blow, trapping Ollie Pope lbw with a nip-backer for 27. Pope reviewed the decision in vain, and his dismissal left India in the ascendancy.

But Brook responded with a flurry of boundaries, taking the attack back to the Indian seamers. He was handed a major reprieve on 19 when he miscued a pull off Prasidh Krishna straight to Siraj at long leg, only for the bowler to step on the boundary rope after completing the catch — turning what would have been a key wicket into six runs.

Brook capitalised on the lifeline, dispatching Prasidh through cover and cutting him past gully, while also taking on Akash Deep with back-to-back boundaries. Root, meanwhile, was content to play the supporting role early in his innings. After surviving a tight lbw shout from Prasidh, he gradually found rhythm and remained unbeaten at the break.

The Indian bowlers, vocal and aggressive in the opening hour, found their momentum disrupted by Brook’s attacking intent. Still, with over 200 runs needed and a wearing pitch to contend with, the odds continue to favour India — though Root’s presence remains England’s greatest hope of pulling off a historic fourth-innings chase.

Lunch Day 4: England 247 & 164/3 (Duckett 54, Brook 38, Root 19)**
India 224 & 396
England need 210 more runs to win

With two sessions remaining on Day 4, the fifth Test — and the series — hangs delicately in the balance.

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