Day Four at The Oval surged with drama before the heavens intervened. Rain brought play to a halt as fans were denied a weekend finish, leaving the series hanging by a thread.
The star performers of the day were England’s Harry Brook and Joe Root, who stitched together a 195‑run partnership that swung momentum in the hosts’ favour. Brook departed just before tea, followed soon after by Root and Jacob Bethell.
With play called off at 339‑6, the match will resume on Monday with England needing just 35 runs – but the momentum has swung firmly back to India, who now need four wickets to salvage a series draw.
After a weather-impacted day in south London, Mail Sport delivers its latest edition of BUMBLE ON THE TEST.
A bit of whirlwind trivia
IT was lovely to see Jimmy White at the Test Match with his grandson Ralphie Albert. Ralphie is in the Surrey academy and plays for England U19s. I love my snooker and Jimmy was The Whirlwind.
Now here’s a little-known fact. For the 2005 Masters, he changed his name by deed poll to James Brown because he had a sponsorship deal with HP Sauce. Bob Willis put Dylan in his middle name because he loved Bob Dylan!
Day Four of England’s final Test against India surged with drama before rain halted play
With play called off at 339‑6, the match will resume on Monday with England needing 35 runs
Mohammed Siraj is a cut above the rest and has been the best bowler this series by a distance
Siraj is cut above the rest
All the talk of Jasprit Bumrah but what a fabulous series for Mohammed Siraj. Whole-hearted, no-nonsense and a highly skilled bowler. Just look at the two deliveries that did for Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope. An excellent yorker and then the scrambled seam, Jimmy Anderson style.
Don’t let the drop take away from anything. Siraj is the leading wicket-taker and rightly so, because he is the best bowler by a distance.
Brook should be No2
Michael Vaughan said he would prefer Harry Brook as vice-captain, and I agree. Brook is assured of a place in this side and looks a leader. He would naturally feed off Stokes.
The simple fact is that Ollie Pope’s place in this side is vulnerable. Take out the runs against Ireland and Zimbabwe and his return is very modest. His average in the fourth innings of a Test is 16.7 and for a number three, that is nowhere near enough.
Another law ignored…
Has the law relating to substitute fielders changed? The law states that a substitute is only allowed when a fielder is injured or ill. Nowadays, players just walk off for a convenient rest or a shirt change.
It’s another case of an obsolete law, totally disregarded by the officials. It’s a joke. The match referee could easily cover this and clamp down but I’m afraid I can’t see that happening.
Tykes’ mystery man
Another day full of Yorkshire pride. You know the saying. Strong Yorkshire, strong England. Two fabulous centuries from two quality players who just never look phased, regardless of the situation. The way they built that partnership was a lesson to all. I can tell you that there’s another brilliant talent on the way from Yorkshire. He hasn’t played in the first team but just keep an eye out. I’m not giving any names just yet…
Harry Brook is assured of a place in this side, looks a leader, and deserves to be vice-captain
If Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli were playing in this series for India, the score may look different
The break came at the right time for England because India were throwing the kitchen sink at them
India miss iconic duo
India have been very impressive over the series, but they haven’t won the main moments. If Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli were playing, I think the outcome would have been different. Certain players sniff out the main moments and are proactive rather than reactive. Ben Stokes is fabulous at that. India will be scratching their heads thinking how on earth they could lose this 3-1.
A time for heroes
The break came at the right time for England because India were throwing the kitchen sink at it and all of a sudden, the scoreboard stopped moving. India need to be right on it because the ball is swinging.
And just to add to the drama, the new ball is due in a few overs. Will India take it? What drama, what theatre. Either way, we’re set for a fitting end to a wonderful series. A time for heroes, indeed.
