Summary

  • Bad light and rain brings early end to day four with England needing 35 more to win and India four wickets

  • England are chasing 374 to win fifth Test and secure series victory

  • Would be their second-highest chase and a record at The Oval

  • Root reaches 39th Test century off 137 balls but edges behind with England still needing 37

  • Brook hits stunning 111 off 98 balls to get England within 73 of victory

  • Brook was caught at fine leg by Siraj, but India quick stumbles onto boundary rope. Brook was on 19 and England 137-3

  • Fifth Test, day four, The Oval - England lead series 2-1

Root edges behind to leave England six down

Live Reporting

Elizabeth Botcherby

  1. Eng 227-3

    Mohammed SirajGetty Images

    I tell you what...

    Harry Brook slaps a bouncer around the corner for four now.

    Siraj looks worried.

  2. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Joe Root celebrates half-centuryGetty Images

    You do feel for Mohammed Siraj. He has bowled his heart out in this series and he's the leading wicket-taker.

    A brilliant fifty for Joe Root. This partnership has been so crucial.

  3. 50 runs

    50 for Joe Root

    'Everyone up on their feet' - Root reaches 50

    Run machine.

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    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I do hope Matthew is not bringing on a big collapse with all this fate tempting re 14:28

    Andrew, Basingstoke

  5. Eng 221-3

    Root 49, Brook 68

    'A beauty of a delivery!' - Siraj traps Pope lbw to leave England 106-3

    It has been more than two hours since India last celebrated a wicket. There are a few hands on hips.

    Mohammed Siraj tries to lift them again...

  6. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Looking at the body language of the Indian fielders and they fear the worst.

  7. Eng 220-3

    Brook flicks Deep through extra cover for four

    Timed through the covers by Harry Brook! That's four as well.

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    Harry Brook and Joe Root punch glovesGetty Images

    Maybe we need to move Yorkshire Day (from 1 August) if Root & Brook get England over the line?

    Sean in Scarborough

  9. Eng 213-3

    Ah this is classic Joe Root. Off the toes for four through mid-wicket.

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    The question I have is, what is Graham (@14:13) doing being anywhere but behind the sofa during a run chase.

    Tim, Scotland

    Re Graham in Cambridgeshire. Listening along from behind the sun lounger in Praia do Cabeço in Portugal. Need another medicinal caipirinha to get through this me thinks.

    Joe B

  11. Eng 209-3

    Need 165 more runs to win

    It's a long way off, I'm tempting fate even bringing it up, but if England continue as they are then they'd only need another 30 or so by the time the second new ball becomes available after 80 overs.

    Again, just something to keep in the back of your mind.

  12. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport chief cricket reporter at The Oval

    Regular readers will know my weather updates are often useless. The forecast suggested a shower around about now and the clouds have rolled in. The lights are on, it's quite gloomy overhead. However, beyond the stands are patches of brighter sky. I think we'll be OK.

  13. Eng 209-3

    It is getting a dark at The Oval.

    The lights are on. Clouds are rolling in. England won't want their rhythm to be upset.

  14. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    I would have loved to hear what India said about Headingley and what they thought they could do differently when they're next in that situation.

  15. Siraj pulls out of his run-up now and removes that bandage. He's going to continue but there's something going on.

  16. How's stat?!

    Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    Harry Brook plays a shotGetty Images

    England's fourth innings batting average since May 2022, when McCullum and Stokes took over, is 40.00 - the highest of any Test side.

    India's is 21.56.

  17. Eng 208-3

    Need 166 more runs to win

    The change in look of the 'keeper standing up has just increased the tension for me at least. Harry Brook looks a little less certain.

    Mohammed Siraj has just had a bandage put onto his leg/knee down on the boundary which is something to keep an eye on.

  18. Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    One of the reasons India have struggled today is that there has been less seam movement than there was yesterday.

  19. India's look at spin lasts only two overs. Akash Deep is back on with the wicketkeeper up.

  20. Eng 206-3

    Need 168 more runs to win

    The noise levels rise again as Joe Root and Harry Brook shake hands having extended their partnership beyond 100. After a firm handshake, Root settles back inbut then almost inside edges onto his stumps.

    Brendon McCullum is still slouched in his chair with his feet up. That won't change whatever happens.