Thrilling Fourth and Fifth Days
The fourth day of the Test match brought incredible highs and lows, but it was the fifth day that delivered a level of suspense that seemed almost unbelievable.
Facing a daunting target of 374 runs, England aimed for their second highest successful chase in Test history, the largest ever at The Oval. Starting the day at 339-6, they were still 35 runs shy of victory.
Morning Momentum
On the previous day, Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton struggled against India’s bowling attack before rain cut short play. However, the dynamics changed quickly on Monday. Overton began the day with a boundary off the first ball from Krishna, followed by another shot that eased the tension as runs required dipped to 27.
Turning Points
As the game progressed, the pressure re-emerged for England. Smith seemed out of sorts, missing his first two deliveries from Siraj before edging the third, resulting in a nail-biting moment as fans awaited a catch confirmation.
Atkinson, too, faced scrutiny, narrowly escaping being caught by KL Rahul at second slip on his first delivery. The noise from the Indian fans, who dominated the stands, added to the atmosphere. Siraj pressed on, and Overton played around a ball that dismissed him after a lengthy deliberation from the umpire. Although confident of a review, the decision turned to be an umpire’s call, sending Indian fans into raptures.
Climactic Moments
With the light dimming and the floodlights brightening, England fought on despite uncertainties surrounding Chris Woakes’ participation. Woakes, 36, stepped out to bat with his left arm wrapped in a sweater, yet never faced a ball, displaying remarkable bravery in the face of pain.
In a dramatic climax, Atkinson hit a long shot off Siraj, keeping the run chase alive as they approached the final few runs needed. Captain Shubman Gill faced a critical decision about field placements, ultimately deciding to protect the boundary.
As the tension escalated, Atkinson managed to negotiate a couple of runs, inching closer to the target. Siraj’s yorker, however, was finely aimed, concluding with impressive bowling figures of 5-104, a fitting testament to his valiant effort as England clung to hope in this unforgettable match.
