As the gripping Test series heads into its final morning, the spotlight has unexpectedly turned to Chris Woakes, who may yet emerge as the most crucial figure at The Oval despite a shoulder injury that’s left his arm in a sling. England closed Day 4 at 339/6, needing 35 more runs to chase down a daunting target of 374 and seal the series 3-1. India, trailing 1-2, need four more wickets, and possibly just three, if Woakes does not bat, to pull off a stunning comeback and level the contest. “England will hope it doesn’t come down to Chris Woakes. India will hope that it does,” said Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports Cricket, summing up the contrasting expectations ahead of Day 5. Joe Root, however, told reporters that Woakes is ready to put his body on the line and bat if the occasion arises.
Woakes, seen in his whites on Sunday despite his injury, might bat at No. 11 if needed. But concerns around his condition have evoked memories of Malcolm Marshall famously batting one-handed at Headingley. “What you have to be careful of — there’s obviously got to be a duty of care as well. If you’ve got one arm in a sling and you’ve got bouncers coming, once you send someone out there, India do what they want to win the Test match,” Hussain added, referencing the high-stakes nature of a possible Woakes appearance. Earlier on Sunday, centuries from Joe Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) put England in command. Brook, who brought up his hundred in just his 30th Test to become the fastest Englishman to 10 tons in 70 years, was dropped on 19, which proved to be a costly miss by Siraj. But India stormed back in the final session. Brook holed out to Akash Deep, Jacob Bethell played a stroke to drag onto his stumps, and Root fell in a wicket maiden to Prasidh Krishna, who ended the day with 3/109.
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Who do you think will win the Test series after Day 4?
With Jamie Smith (2*) and Jamie Overton (0*) at the crease, all eyes will be on whether India can force the hosts to expose Woakes or if England will hold on to complete another Bazball chase.
