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 323-4

    England need 51 runs to win

    That will help England.

    Akash Deep sends down a wild wide delivery and it runs away to the rope. Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, with a full length dive, didn't stand a chance.

    Five runs.

  2. Eng 318-4

    England need 56 runs to win

    Root's single is the only scoring shot of the over. He's on 99. Jacob Bethell has 1 (22).

    In the crowd, a woman waves an India flag enthusiastically. She believes there's more drama to come.

  3. Deep Dasgupta
    Former India wicketkeeper on Test Match Special

    Shubman Gill had a quick chat with Mohammed Siraj before the over asking, 'Are you up for it?'.

    Siraj, as usual, is saying 'Why not?'.

  4. Eng 318-4

    England need 56 runs to win

    Joe Root picks up England's first run of the session. A single.

  5. Deep Dasgupta
    Former India wicketkeeper on Test Match Special

    Mohammed SirajGetty Images

    In this series, one thing India have shown is they're up for a fight. They're not going to let these 57 runs go like that - they're not going to give them up easy.

  6. Eng 317-4

    England need 57 runs to win

    A maiden from Akash Deep.

    Jacob Bethell and Joe Root meet in the middle and touch gloves. Root is on 98, facing Mohammed Siraj next.

  7. Eng 317-4

    England need 57 runs to win

    After four dot balls, India fish for a ball change. Not today.

  8. Akash Deep is tasked with bowling the first over after tea. Jacob Bethell is on strike.

    Remember, England need 57 runs to win.

  9. Right, the players are back out. Joe Root entered at a sprint.

    England are 317-4 chasing 374. They need 57 runs to seal the win and take the series 3-1.

    Root is on 98 (135) and Jacob Bethell has 1 (11).

    Time for a completely unscientific poll - thumbs up for an England win, thumbs down for an India win.

  10. Will this man see England home?

    'No nonsense there!' - Root skips down the ground to hit Jadeja for four

  11. Get Involved

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

    Am I the only England supporter who would really like to see Root and Brook get their centuries after which the England batting order would collapse only for Chris Woakes to stride out and hit the winning runs?!

    Anon

    Anon sent this about an hour ago. They've got their first wish (Brook) and Root is closing in on his century...

    I, for one, do not want this level of drama.

  12. The TV camera has picked out Joe Root and Jacob Bethell, pads on, in the England dressing room.

    Root picks up his bat, studies it, and shadows a pull shot. Bethell lets out a yawn.

  13. Play to restart at 16:30 BST

    Weather permitting, play will restart at 16:30 BST.

  14. Excellent news. The covers are coming off at The Oval.

  15. If you had to sum up the action on day four in three videos, I think this would be a pretty good start...

    'He's got away with it!' - Siraj carries Brook catch over rope for six

    Brook reaches tenth test century

    'What an incredible dismissal!' - Brook caught on 111 after bat goes flying into the air

  16. Highlights on BBC Two

    BBC Two

    Whatever happens, there will be full highlights of the action this evening on Today at the Test.

    Tune in at 19:00 BST on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

  17. Thanks Matt.

    Everyone - take advantage of this break. We could be in for a nail-biting hour.

  18. That was a blast but it's time for me to hand to Elizabeth Botcherby who is going to take this to the finish.

    Thank you for the company this series.

  19. Worryingly they're bringing the covers on at tea. It's raining.

  20. That was Test cricket at its very best. Harry Brook and Joe Root have taken England to the brink of the improbable.

    'Bad ball put away!' - Brook hits Washington through the covers for four

    'Like a tracer bullet to the boundary' - Brook pulls Deep for four

    'No nonsense there!' - Root skips down the ground to hit Jadeja for four

    'He's put them in a winning position' - Brook century edges England closer to victory