England on brink of victory in fifth Test

LONDON (AP):

It’s gonna be a Monday-morning thriller to decide the cricket series between England and India after bad light and rain forced an early end to play in the fifth and final Test yesterday with England needing another 35 runs to win.

England was 339-6 at stumps on day four, chasing a target of 374. England lead the series 2-1.

India needs to claim another four wickets — perhaps three — for victory and tie the series.

Joe Root was again England’s saviour yesterday with 105 runs, and Harry Brook hit 111, as England aimed to pull off another awe-inspiring run chase. India quick Mohammed Siraj claimed 2-95 to make him the leading wicket-taker in the series with 20.

Only 10 overs were completed after tea. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith (2 not out) and bowler Jamie Overton (0 not out) are at the crease.

England have potentially only three wickets left because of allrounder Chris Woakes’ shoulder injury. Woakes was seen in his cricket whites at the Oval yesterday but with his left arm in a sling amid speculation he would come out at No. 11 if needed and bat one-handed.

“You probably saw him in his whites in the dressing room. He’s all in, like the rest of us,” Root said.

“Clearly, he’s in a huge amount of pain. But it means a huge amount to him and it just shows the character and the person that he is, that he’s willing to put his body on the line like that for England.

“If it does come to that, hopefully he can get us across the line and win an incredible series.”

England chased down 371 in the Leeds opener, its record run chase at Headingley.