A lot of things in England’s favour – Root

According to batter Joe Root, “a lot of things are still in England’s favor” as they try to get the 35 runs needed to win the fifth and final Test on Monday against India.”

After India took three wickets in the evening session before the early-morning bad weather put the hosts on a challenging 374 to win, play resumed at the Oval on 339-6.

Root and Jamie Smith struggled against India’s fired-up seamers in a stunning fourth-wicket partnership of 195 with Harry Brook, who added a 91-ball century of their own.

The conclusion of the series’ other half is quite fitting. This Test is exactly the same as it has flowed and ebbed and flowed, according to Root in a BBC Test Match Special.

“We are in for a cracker, and we are in a good position.” Another heavy roller is available.

“Something might happen more quickly with a new ball, and it might be simpler to score.”

Root reacted to his own dismissal, punching his own bat after nicking Prasidh Krishna, but said it was a result of his own error rather than the pair’tuscious exchange on day two.

“It was really disappointing not to be there tonight and get us over the line,” I said.

“But we are still in a really good position, have a lot of bats to play, and have two guys who are out there are very capable of getting us home.”

Despite their incredible partnership, Brook and Root’s counter-attacking knock stifled the pace after the tourists removed Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope early in the day.

But when both of them left, they both appeared to be looking a different side, which was understandable. As usual, Mohammed Siraj charged in, and Prasidh Krishna stayed on a probing length to sway England’s middle order.

India’s sudden and unlikely charge for victory was stopped by the delay, which started with bad light and then bad rain, after Krishna bowled Jacob Bethell for a scratchy five from 31 balls. Overton and Smith were unable to get the ball off the square.

On BBC Test Match Special, former England captain Sir Alastair Cook said, “It]the delay] greatly benefits England.

“It hits India like a hammer.” Tonight, India would have experienced an incredible atmosphere. Because of how dominant they were, only a leg-bye could England escape.

However, WinViz has an 84% chance of winning, which would give them a 3-1 series win and a significant boost in confidence heading into the winter Ashes.