England eye incredible history as thrilling final Test against India sees series hang on knife edge ...Middle East

England have been forced to wait for a potentially historic victory over India in what’s been a thrilling final Test so far.

Bad light and subsequent rain called play in day four of the fifth Test to a premature halt, with England 35 runs from victory at 339-6.

However, the match is firmly in the balance with India claiming crucial wickets of Joe Root and Harry Brook, who both scored centuries, shortly before stumps.

The tourists are likely to only require three more wickets as England tail-ender Chris Woakes sustained a Test-ending dislocated shoulder injury on day one.

Should England complete the successful run chase of 374, and thus wrap up a 3-1 series victory at the Oval, it will be the highest run chase ever achieved at the London venue.

Brook (111) and Root’s (105) impressive partnership appeared to set England on their way to victory with a day to spare.

Brook was fortunate to remain at the crease earlier in his innings, though.

Mohammed Siraj had caught Brook at fine leg only to stumble over the boundary as the wicket changed to a six in what proved to be a turning point in the match with the England man on 19 at the time.

Brook was ultimately caught by Siraj off the bowling of Akash Deep for 111.

His century was followed by another from Root as India struggled to contain Brendon McCullum’s side.

Root later survived an scare after India opted against reviewing a possible LBW dismissal with England needing just 42 runs to win.

He was gone five runs later, though, as Root edged a delivery from Prasidh Krishna through to wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel.

His impressive innings ended on 105 with England six wickets down and needing 37 runs for victory.

Ben Duckett had earlier contributed with a half-century of his own as he made 54, while new life was breathed into India’s challenge to win following the dismissals of Root, Brook as well as Jacob Bethel with Krishna bowling the latter out.

As well as losing Woakes earlier in the Test, England have been without captain Ben Stokes having struggled with injury during the fourth Test. In his absence, Ollie Pope has been captaining the side.

What is England’s record run chase?

Their previous best at the venue saw them chase down 204 against South Africa in 1994.

Meanwhile, the highest successful Test run chase at The Oval had been set by the West Indies in 1963.

On that occasion, they reached a target of 253 to beat England to claim a 3-1 series victory.

Highest successful Test run chases at The Oval

Since 1925

England had already set a new second-highest successful run chase ever during the series after reaching a target of 371 in the first Test.

Meanwhile, their record chase remains 378 against India at Edgbaston in 2022.

England are already assured of at least a tie after the fourth Test at Old Trafford was drawn.

The hosts had earlier won the first and third Tests at Headingley and Lord’s, respectively.

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