Harry Brook’s counter-attacking hundred and Joe Root’s chic unbeaten 98 put England on course for a series-winning file 374-run chase in opposition to India at tea on day 4 of the closing Test in London on Sunday (August 3, 2025).
An epic 195-run stand-off 211 balls between Brook and Root took the wind out India’s sails as England coasted to 317 for 4 at tea, needing one other 57 runs for the collection sealing victory.
It was the second hundred of the collection for Brook (111 off 98), who displayed particular ball putting talents below excessive stress. He made most of a life given on 19 when Mohammed Siraj stumbled to the boundary ropes after taking his catch off Prasidh Krishna.
The three Indian pacers couldn’t a lot out of the pitch with a softer ball and the two spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja too proved ineffective though to be honest to them they weren’t given prolonged spells. The new ball remains to be 14 overs away and the sport can be nearly as good as over by then if England proceed marching in direction of their purpose.
The quick ball tactic was additionally employed however the carry off the previous ball was comfortably negotiated by Brook and Root.
Mohammed Siraj appeals efficiently for the wicket of England’s captain Ollie Pope throughout the fourth day of the fifth Test match at the Oval on August 3, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
The shoulders in the subject had been drooping and it was most seen when Brook creamed Akash Deep by means of the cowl for a boundary. However, two balls later Brook stepped out to smash the bowler over cowl however ended up shedding his bat and was caught by Siraj at mid-off.
While Brook was all brute drive, Root collected his runs in his typical easy method. He bought to 98 with back-to-back fours off Siraj together with an imposing straight.
In the morning session, Siraj bowled one other lion-hearted spell of eight overs as India took two well timed wickets to go away England on 164 for 3 at lunch on day 4 of the closing Test right here on Sunday (August 3, 2025).
Having dismissed Zak Crawley on the final ball of the day three, Siraj began the proceedings alongside Akash Deep. Like the first innings, Siraj put his hand up and produced a fiery spell the place he troubled Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope.
However, it was Prasidh Krishna who offered the opening breakthrough of the day when he drew Duckett into the drive and had him caught at second slip on what was his fourth ball of the morning.
Siraj too was rewarded for his relentless method when he trapped Pope in entrance for the second time in the sport with a pointy nip backer off a wobbled seam. Pope had simply discovered his groove, having collected three fours off Prasidh earlier than being dismissed in the following over.
Root appeared strong in the center and executed two regal cowl drives off Siraj.
Harry Brook was his ordinary attacking self and was handed a reprieve when Siraj caught him at high quality leg off Prasidh however ended up stepping on the ropes to concede six runs.
Before that, Brook stepped out to Akash Deep and dispatched him for a six over cowl.
Like Siraj, Prasidh additionally bowled eight overs on the trot, giving his all on probably the closing day of a gruelling 5 match collection.
England resumed the day at 50 for one, needing one other 324 runs for an unbelievable win.
Prior to this sport, the highest chase at this floor was 263 achieved by England again in 1902.
