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. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It is absolutely cracking the flags. We had until 18:42 BST to start.

    You're telling me they couldn't get the covers off in 20 minutes with a full house, and with all the drama.

    Come on...

  2. Highlights on BBC Two

    BBC Two

    Today at the Test will have highlights of all of the action from day four at 19:00 BST on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

  3. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

    What a shame. I'm afraid that's the weather to blame.

    We are back tomorrow! Every Test match in this series has gone the distance.

  4. Deep Dasgupta
    Former India wicketkeeper on Test Match Special

    Boos going around the ground.

  5. Close - Eng 339-6

    England need 35 runs to win

    There will be no more play at The Oval.

    The players went off for bad light and a subsequent rain storm has brought day four to a premature close.

    The fifth Test will go to a fifth day with England needing 35 runs and India requiring four wickets.

  6. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on Test Match Special

    That's your lot I reckon. I think that's it.

  7. The umpires have had a lengthy discussion with the ground staff and left the field. There's no movement from the covers.

  8. Sam Huxley
    BBC Radio 5 Live at The Oval

    TMS commentatorsBBC Sport

    To say it's tense in the TMS box right now is an understatement.

    Tense about the result. Tense about the weather!

    Commentators and pundits are furiously refreshing weather apps as I type.

    In the box next door, an Indian analyst turned his head to the ceiling as soon as the covers came on. He has a 5.30am alarm call if we go to a fifth day!

  9. Here are the full highlights from Joe Root's century.

    'A truly remarkable batsman' - Root hits 39th Test century

  10. Before his dismissal in the 73rd over, Joe Root scored his 39th Test century.

    He marked the milestone by donning a headband in honour of former England international Graham Thorpe.

    Thorpe's life was celebrated at The Oval on 1 August with 'A Day for Thorpey', raising money for mental health charity Mind.

    'For the man who taught him so much' - Root marks century with Thorpe tribute

  11. Andy Zaltzman
    Test Match Special statistician

    Blue sky over to our right where the rain has been coming from.

  12. Isa Guha
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    I think the rain has stopped now.

  13. Here's a reminder of what's happened since tea.

    England came back out on 317-4, requiring 57 runs to win.

    Now they're 339-6, with 35 runs to win and Jacob Bethell and Joe Root back in the shed.

    Bethell bowled middle stump by Krishna for five

    Root edges behind to leave England six down

  14. Get Involved

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

    Rain all passed from North London - lasted 20 mins.

    David

  15. Rain is an understatement, it's hammering down.

    I'm not optimistic.

  16. Get Involved

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

    The absolute definition of cricket being cricket. We have floodlights on, but can’t use them to their full potential. England need 35, India need three wickets, full house at the Oval, and they are taken off. It’s just ridiculous.

    Jar, Birmingham

    I live in Brussels with friends from multiple different nationalities. I work for a US company with colleagues who cannot fathom cricket. It is my life's mission to explain the beauty of cricket to both audiences and how it can dramatically turn from total dominance of one team to total dominance of the other. This will be a perfect case study.

    Richard, Arcachon

    Oh Richard, I feel your pain. My lovely French teacher thought I'd misspoken when I said cricket matches can take five days.

  17. It's raining at The Oval.

  18. I hate to be the bearer of bad news... more covers are being brought on.

  19. What are the rules about bad light in Test cricket?

    Ask Me Anything

    As the players head off the field for bad light, BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team have explained what happens and why in these scenarios.

    A reminder that we went off for bad light earlier in the Test, so a reading was taken then and used for the rest of the Test.

    Read more: What are the rules about bad light in Test cricket?

  20. The square has been covered, hopefully as a precaution.