England fold as India fight back on bad-tempered, captivating day

India’s Sai Sudharsan makes a point to Harry Brook and Ben Duckett after getting out lbw to Gus Atkinson

It was a day to remember Graham Thorpe at the Oval and he would have relished the kind of full-blooded scrap that unfolded.

England needed a player of his mettle too, one who could bind the middle order together, ignore the wind-up tactics and bat his team to a series-winning position.

Instead England lost their grip on the game, folding from a strong position in their first innings then dropping three catches and missing a run-out as India built their lead in the evening light to 52.

England are an impossible team to write off, and a low-scoring game can flip in an instant, but a man down because of Chris Woakes’s dislocated shoulder will be a difficult handicap to overcome and the biggest series win of the Stokes-McCullum era could slip away on Saturday.

India, 75 for two, will be expecting a good batting day with the best weather of the Test forecast and they love nothing more than batting time. England will want to limit themselves to a target of 220-250, but Yashasvi Jaiswal, on 51, can take the game away quickly and the rocks of Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar and Ravi Jadeja are still to come.

A bad-tempered, captivating day of Test cricket crammed in 16 wickets and plenty of aggro as a solid dose of Bazball was blunted when it met head on with Indian snarl, Mohammed Siraj showing immense heart in his fifth game of the series with four for 86.

Sporting one of the Thorpe headbands, proceeds from which raised more than £100,000 for mental health charities, Siraj had shades of Stuart Broad running in at the Oval and chirping away at the batsmen.

This is a fractious series, both players are sick of the sight of each other after some long, exhausting days. It has just about stayed on the right side of acceptable but Akash Deep putting his arm round Ben Duckett after he had dismissed him for a brutish 43 off 38 balls and Prasidh Krishna essentially squaring up to Joe Root of all people, took the needle to a new level. When England dismissed Sai Sudharsan in the final knockings of the day, more words were exchanged. With a series on the line, it will only heat up more.

It is rare to see Root look angry. He has dominated India many times, taking them for 12 centuries and 150 at Old Trafford last weekend. India decided to unsettle him, wind up the calmest man in the side.

Krishna, who had so far been anonymous in the series, said something that clearly upset Root, who reacted immediately, forcing the umpires to step in. Pope was at the other end. You wonder whether India would have tried that with Stokes in the middle but without their captain’s presence, the side is a lot less intimidating.

It was shrewd and ruthless by India. When Root was leg before for 29, England’s innings toppled from 175 for four to 247 all out, enough for only an inconsequential lead of 23.

It was a waste. Gus Atkinson’s rollicking return to Test cricket saw him lead England off on his home ground after his 5-33 had blown away India in the morning – their last four wickets falling for six runs.

With an hour to go before lunch, Zak Crawley and Duckett went out and followed the orders of Brendon McCullum. On a seaming pitch, McCullum told them to be brave. Crawley and Duckett love that freedom. They flogged India for 93 at 7.2 runs an over, Duckett scooping two sixes and Crawley hitting 12 fours in his fifty.

It was eye-spinning stuff, and it threw India’s three seamers off their lines and lengths. Rattled, they bowled poorly conceding 100 in 15 overs. But when Duckett gloved Deep behind trying to play another ramp, Deep went a step too far, making bodily contact with Duckett after getting him out.

It was unnecessary, he had already won the battle. The stump mics did not pick up what was said and it may have been friendly, more likely caustic.

At lunch India must have been given a rocket by coach Gautam Gambhir. Prasidh and Siraj bowled superbly in the afternoon, England’s weaknesses when the ball is moving around came flooding back. Crawley fell for 64 off 57 when he top edged a pull to midwicket, failing to convert his third fifty of the series. It was another frustrating end after promising so much.

Root’s row with Prasidh also eluded the microphones but it was bad enough for the umpires to step in. Siraj produced a nasty inducker to have Pope leg before and a similar seaming-in delivery accounted for Root. England just could not cope with the conditions. Harry Brook lost his shape charging his first delivery that he almost inside edged on to his stumps. Jamie Smith was caught at slip wafting and looked tired in his first five-match series. After scoring 411 runs in his first five innings at average of more than 100 he has scored eight, nine and eight. It was no surprise he was weary after diving around chasing so many wides on day one.

Jacob Bethell and Jamie Overton resembled two players in pre-season mode, such was their rustiness. Bethell, playing his second-red ball game since December, was yorked by Siraj and was palpably lbw and Overton failed to get any wood on the four balls he faced, also falling leg before.

Brook swung a six into the Bedser Stand and had he not run out of partners his fifty could have been much more but India did not loosen their grip once their seamers found the right length.

A long evening session gave England a chance but they were poor. Jaiswal was dropped twice, once in the cordon by Brook and an easier chance at deep backward square leg by sub Liam Dawson, who seemed to lose the ball in the sunlight. The fact his sunglasses were on his cap did him no favours.

Liam Dawson seemed to lose the ball in the sunlight as he dropped Yashasvi Jaiswal - Sky Sports

KL Rahul edged an outswinger to slip and Sudharsan was leg before to one that shot through and nipped back off the seam. Barely anyone had left the ground. After some slow days, this was full-throttle Test cricket.

England vs India aggro

Eight of the biggest flare-ups in series full of needle

07:59 PM BST

Boycott’s verdict

07:25 PM BST

Michael Vaughan on BBC Test Match Special

“I would rather be India with the fact that England do not have Chris Woakes and tomorrow the sun is going to shine. You would think this pitch would quieten down but if it stays like this it is going to be a great game.

“It has had movement throughout and the standout partnership of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley looked like it exploded England ahead and then India remembered to bowl at the stumps, they bowled a bit fuller.”

07:21 PM BST

A tale of three horror drops

Atkinson to Jaiswal on 20

Fielder: Brook

Jaiswal flashed hard, edging high to Brook’s left at second slip. It flew – as shown by it running away to the boundary – and was a little awkward, but should have been taken by one of England’s best catchers. 

Difficulty rating: 6/10

Tongue to Jaiswal on 40

Fielder: Dawson

A sitter. The sub Dawson was grazing at fine leg and Tongue drew the false shot from the cavalier opener amid an excellent spell. The ball went straight to Dawson, but went inexplicably through his hands. Dawson blamed losing sight of the ball.

Difficulty rating: 1/10

Overton to Sudharsan on 7

Fielder: Crawley

Like Brook’s, this flew very fast to Crawley’s left at third slip as the light faded around 7pm. He could not cling on, meaning every member of England’s three-man attack had seen a catch dropped. 

Difficulty rating: 5/10

07:17 PM BST

Stumps on day two

Boos ring out around the Oval as the umpires say it is too dark to bowl seamers and Ollie Pope does not want to bring on his spinners so the players head off and that will be the close on day two. India finish on 75/2, 52 runs ahead.

It’s fairly dark, and it is well past 7pm so I don’t think it’s a shocker to go off there. And I think England are right to not bowl spin for the sake of it. Last year Woakes even bowled some spin against Sri Lanka as they tried to stay out for longer and it was a wasted period that contributed to a defeat.

07:15 PM BST

OVER 18: IND 75/2 (Jaiswal 51 Deep 4)

With just under 20 minutes to go, India have sent out the nightwatchman instead of captain Shubman Gill. Akash Deep has the job of seeing out the rest of the day.

He is off the mark first ball with a shot over mid-wicket’s head that runs away for four. It was in the air a while and for a moment England might have thought a chance was coming.

The light is fading and it would not surprise you if the umpires get a little fidgety about the light.

07:10 PM BST

Wicket

Sudharsan LBW Atkinson 11 Atkinson comes around the wicket and the ball stays a touch low. Sudharsan goes back and is trapped in front. It is strange that he decides to review as it is three reds and he is gone. He then gets involved in a verbal confrontation with Duckett as he goes off. FOW 70/2

07:08 PM BST

OVER 17: IND 70/1 (Jaiswal 51 Sudharsan 11)

Overton bangs one in short and Jaiswal nonchalantly lifts it over the slip cordon for six to bring up his 13th Test fifty. A sublime way to bring up your half century.

The totaliser has risen to £123,961 for the charity Mind in tribute to Graham Thorpe. Very good effort by all involved.

A fifty for Yashasvi Jaiswal - Stu Forster/Getty Images

07:05 PM BST

OVER 16: IND 64/1 (Jaiswal 45 Sudharsan 11)

Change of bowling as Tongue’s strong spell from the Vauxhall End is over, with Atkinson back into the attack. Had England taken their chances, they would be right in the driving seat of this match. England’s catching in this second innings has been nothing short of appalling; you cannot shell all three of those catches, at least two should be taken even accounting for not taking every catch. How have they dropped all three?

Maiden over.

07:00 PM BST

OVER 15: IND 64/1 (Jaiswal 45 Sudharsan 11)

That is a lovely bit of cricket. Overton strays onto the pads and Jaiswal rather nonchalantly tucks it through mid-wicket for three.

Another drop! What are England doing? They could have had India three or four down but spurn yet another chance. Sudharsan goes after a wider delivery from Overton but Crawley shells the catch at third slip. Let’s be honest, that is dreadful and England would only have themselves to blame if they lose this match. To add insult to injury, India come back for three.

Another missed opportunity - Gareth Copley/Getty Images

06:56 PM BST

OVER 14: IND 56/1 (Jaiswal 41 Sudharsan 7)

Big chance wasted! Tongue bangs it in short and Jaiswal takes it on. It goes straight down Dawson’s throat at fine leg but he shells the catch, suggesting he did not see it. In these tight games, you have to be taking those chances. That will likely be a pivotal moment in this Test match.

Tongue strikes Sudharsan on the pads but umpire Ahsan Raza is unmoved. England contemplate a review but it always looked too high. An eventful over and Tongue has deserved more than one wicket from this spell.

Wow. How has Dawson dropped that? He’s immediately complained about the floodlight but that is a truly horrible place to be as a sub fielder. I couldn’t believe the precision with which Jaiswal had picked out the fielder!

06:51 PM BST

OVER 13: IND 55/1 (Jaiswal 40 Sudharsan 7)

With Sudharsan’s vulnerabilities to the ball on the pads, a leg slip is in place to him from both ends.

A maiden over from Overton.

06:47 PM BST

OVER 12: IND 55/1 (Jaiswal 40 Sudharsan 7)

Tongue will continue after drinks from the Vauxhall End. A leg slip is in place to Sudharsan, who nearly picks out Bethell there, but it goes to Bethell’s right and Sudharsan is off the mark with a four to bring up India’s 50.

India lead by 32 runs.

06:41 PM BST

OVER 11: IND 47/1 (Jaiswal 39 Sudharsan 0)

Just the one run from Overton’s second over and it is time for drinks.

06:37 PM BST

OVER 10: IND 46/1 (Jaiswal 38 Sudharsan 0)

Sai Sudharsan is in at number three with just under an hour left on day two. This is a big opportunity for England now.

06:34 PM BST

Wicket

Rahul c Root b Tongue 7 Tongue has deserved that. He has been probing and finally gets his reward, finding the outside edge of Rahul’s bat and Root takes a good catch at first slip. FOW 46/1

Josh Tongue has been excellent with the new ball this innings, and fully deserves that wicket. It’s been such an impressive Test for him after that awful first over - that was only yesterday. A lot has happened in this Test since.

06:30 PM BST

OVER 9: IND 41/0 (Jaiswal 33 Rahul 7)

Atkinson’s spell is done and Jamie Overton replaces him at the Pavilion End. Overton bangs one in short and Jaiswal goes up and over backward point. Bethell is on the boundary at deep point but it is wider of him and goes for six anyway.

06:25 PM BST

OVER 8: IND 34/0 (Jaiswal 26 Rahul 7)

Tongue nearly gets through with a yorker but Jaiswal does well to dig it out. Jaiswal takes a quick single into the offside and Duckett has a chance to run out Rahul. Had Duckett hit, Rahul was gone and Duckett may be a little disappointed he did not hit. That would have been an added bonus for England.

Tongue gets too full and wide and Rahul crunches a drive through cover point for four.

06:20 PM BST

OVER 7: IND 29/0 (Jaiswal 25 Rahul 3)

England know this is a crucial phase of this match, with conditions still favourable to the bowlers. If England can get two or three this evening the match is well and truly on going into day three. If India are only one down at the close, they will be in the driving seat going into tomorrow.

Just the one run from the over.

06:15 PM BST

OVER 6: IND 28/0 (Jaiswal 24 Rahul 3)

Tongue overpitches and Rahul leans into a drive through cover, bringing him two. Tongue follows that up with a beauty that narrowly misses the outside edge.

Has Rahul edged that or did it come off the pad? Tongue thinks he has his man but umpire Ahsan Raza shakes his head. England think of a review but opt against it. That appears to be a great decision from Raza and it is. No bat and it was too high for LBW.

Rahul then attempts to leave one but gets an edge which lands short of the slips.That is a really good over from Tongue, who has found some rhythm in this second innings.

Close but no cigar for Josh Tongue - Paul Childs/Reuters

06:11 PM BST

OVER 5: IND 26/0 (Jaiswal 24 Rahul 1)

Rahul is off the mark 11th ball with a single into the covers. Atkinson is too full and Jaiswal tucks into it, driving powerfully and elegantly through wide mid-off for four.

Jaiswal is dropped! He goes hard at a wider delivery from Atkinson and it flies towards Brook at second slip. Brook should take the catch but he ends up “pushing it over the bar” like a goalkeeper and the ball runs away for four, which takes India into the lead. Considering how good Brook is in the slips, he will be very disappointed he did not take that. Jaiswal thought he was gone as he started walking before realising Brook had spilt the opportunity.

That chance has absolutely flown to Harry Brook, as shown by it flying away to the boundary, but in these situations you can’t drop them. It takes India into the lead, too.

06:07 PM BST

OVER 4: IND 17/0 (Jaiswal 16 Rahul 0)

When you compare Tongue’s first over in the first innings compared to his first in the second, it is like chalk and cheese.

Off the final ball of the over Jaiswal cuts away late and it goes through the gaps between the slips and Duckett at gully, running away for four. Jaiswal is off to a flyer as India have nearly wiped out the deficit.

06:02 PM BST

OVER 3: IND 12/0 (Jaiswal 12 Rahul 0)

The first runs of the innings and what a delightful way to get them. Atkinson strays too straight and full, with Jaiswal punishing him with a sublime on drive through mid-on.

Atkinson then finds the outside edge of Jaiswal’s bat but it goes past Crawley at third slip for four. It bounced well before the slip cordon so no chance of a catch even if it had been straight at Crawley.

Too much width from Atkinson and Jaiswal tucks into it, powerfully cutting away for a third fourth of the over.

India trail now by just 11 runs.

05:58 PM BST

OVER 2: IND 0/0 (Jaiswal 0 Rahul 0)

Josh Tongue will take the new ball from the Vauxhall End. What will his radar be like in this innings with a new ball that is moving around? It was all over the place in the first innings but he did bowl some beauties.

That is a good, probing start from Tongue who, like Atkinson, sends down a maiden.

05:53 PM BST

OVER 1: IND 0/0 (Jaiswal 0 Rahul 0)

Atkinson will kick things off from the Pavilion End and first ball Jaiswal cuts away hard but Duckett makes a great diving stop at gully as Jaiswal hit that shot very hard.

It is a tight rest of the over from Atkinson, who starts with a maiden over.

05:48 PM BST

India’s second innings

KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are heading out to the middle, with India trailing by 23 runs heading into the second innings. Gus Atkinson will definitely take the new ball but, with Chris Woakes injured, who will take it at the other end?

05:45 PM BST

England bowlers back on their feet

A lead of 23 is not what England needed. It’s a hair in front, but worst of all is the fact that their very thin bowling attack has not had any rest. It’s a huge task for Gus Atkinson, who bowled so well in the first innings.

05:39 PM BST

England bowled out for 247

Brook b Siraj 53 England’s innings is over as Brook plays onto his own stumps. Siraj has four wickets. England take a 23-run lead into the second innings, which could be pivotal, but they are down a seamer. England will be back out to bowl in 10 minutes having been bowling a matter of hours ago. FOW 247 all out

05:38 PM BST

OVER 51: ENG 247/8 (Tongue 0 Brook 53)

Brook takes a single off the fourth ball to deep backward point but he did try to come back for two. Once more Tongue has two balls to survive, which he does well.

England lead by 23 runs.

05:33 PM BST

OVER 50: ENG 246/8 (Tongue 0 Brook 52)

Siraj will bowl from the Vauxhall End, sporting the headband in tribute to Graham Thorpe.

Siraj doing a Broad? - Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Brook hits powerfully through wide mid-off, finding the gap which allows him to come back for two to take him to his 13th Test fifty.

Well that was chaos! Brook hits behind square on the legside, looking for two. He feels he cannot come back and Tongue is nearly run out after a slip getting back into his ground. The ball ends up going for overthrows and Brook contemplates going for the second but they cannot. Cue Benny Hill music!

Tongue has two balls to survive and he does so.

I like that Siraj has gone for the headband here. In many ways, he feels a spiritual successor to Stuart Broad. Highly skilled, tireless, snarky, smart, enjoys a celebrappeal. It’s a good look for him.

05:28 PM BST

OVER 49: ENG 243/8 (Tongue 0 Brook 49)

Krishna will bowl the first over after the delay. Unsurprisingly the field is spread and Brook has no intention of taking a single early in the over.

Is that a dropped catch from Jurel? Krishna sends one down the legside but it comes off Brook’s pads, not his bat, so not a dropped catch.

Brook takes a single off the fifth ball, leaving Tongue just one delivery to survive. Interesting tactics from Gill to keep the field back even with two balls left in the over.

Tongue digs out a yorker from Krishna to survive.

05:24 PM BST

Nearly ready for action

England’s lead is 18 and, as we do not expect Woakes to bat, this is the final wicket. How many more can Brook and Tongue (let’s be honest Brook) add? England may fancy bowling in these conditions as well so score as many runs as quickly as possible and then potentially start tucking into the Indian top order.

Interesting passage here. Can Brook launch a few to give England a lead of some meaning? 

05:16 PM BST

Restart time

Not long to wait now as we will get back under way at 5.25, so long as there is no more rain.

05:16 PM BST

Restart coming soon?

The skies have brightened and all the main covers are off, except a matted cover on the wicket.

05:07 PM BST

Oh no!

That was the kiss of death from Will as the rain is still coming down and the covers that were on the run-ups are now returning!

It’s just drizzling again so the umpire’s brolly is back up and the clean up job has been paused. 

05:03 PM BST

Good news!

Covers coming off.

The covers on the bowlers’ run-ups have been removed but there is still a cover over the main square. 

04:59 PM BST

Weather update

There’s still some very light rain falling but it’s brightened up a lot. The fourth umpire’s got his brolly up but as so often, I’m not sure he needs it.

04:56 PM BST

Michael Vaughan on BBC Test Match Special

“It is quite gloomy out there and I think India will be quite happy with this because the forecast tomorrow is a lot better.

“They need one more wicket, I cannot imagine Chris Woakes will come out and bat. If they can be in for the majority of tomorrow when it is nice and sunny, it could be a better day for batting.”

04:53 PM BST

Nasser Hussain on Sky Sports

“[Chris] Woakes will not bat in this innings, maybe second innings if England need 10 or 20 to win and they are nine down. Then they may ask Woakes to go out there.

“[Harry] Brook has been beautifully. He has just about got the tempo right, he was a bit aggressive to start with. On this pitch you do have to play shots.”

04:52 PM BST

What an image!

This was as a result of a truly stunning shot over fine leg for six from Harry Brook. We have seen a few times in this series Rishabh Pant end up on his back after some ramp shots.

Ending up on his back! - Stu Forster/Getty Images

04:41 PM BST

Rain stops play

The umpires have decided the rain has got too heavy and they are taking the players off, much to the disappointment of the crowd who, as always, are the ones who lose out.

04:41 PM BST

OVER 48: ENG 242/8 (Tongue 0 Brook 48)

As expected with the field spread and now England having just one wicket left, Brook is turning down the singles early in the over.

Brook therefore decides to get down on one knee and sweep over fine leg for six. That is quite incredible.

With two balls left, Shubman Gill has decided to keep plenty of fielders back, allowing Brook an easy single which he takes into the legside.

Tongue survives the final ball as the rain is coming down.

04:36 PM BST

OVER 47: ENG 235/8 (Tongue 0 Brook 41)

With Chris Woakes injured, Josh Tongue will be the final man and survives the final ball of Krishna’s over. You would imagine now Brook will probably farm strike and go ultra aggressive.

Looks like there’s a bit of rain falling here. 

04:34 PM BST

Wicket

Atkinson c Deep b Krishna 11 England are eight down, with just one wicket left now. Atkinson attempts to pull away but it comes off the slice of the bat and loops up to Deep at mid-on, who makes no mistake. FOW 235/8

04:30 PM BST

OVER 46: ENG 230/7 (Atkinson 7 Brook 40)

A ball after Siraj cuts Atkinson in half, a single through wide mid-on takes England into the lead.

Siraj offers too much width and Atkinson gets a drive away behind point for four.

England lead by six runs.

04:26 PM BST

OVER 45: ENG 224/7 (Atkinson 2 Brook 39)

Brook is very keen to keep strike and comes back for two after guiding one through wide third man. A slightly risky two but Brook was very quick between the wickets and determined to come back for the second.

Atkinson then shows some aggression, charging at Krishna and hitting hard to deep backward point but only gets a single, which does bring England level.

04:22 PM BST

OVER 44: ENG 220/7 (Atkinson 1 Brook 36)

Mohammed Siraj bowled a lengthy spell from the Pavilion End during the afternoon session and will start proceedings in this session from the Vauxhall End. Brook gets the first run of the session with a guided single through backward point.

Siraj then puts down a tough caught-and-bowled chance with Atkinson hitting it hard back at him. Siraj’s bowling hand is in some pain. Atkinson then gets off the mark with a single down to fine leg.

Brook nearly gets four with a lovely controlled shot through cover point but it is stopped on the boundary so he has to settle for two.

04:17 PM BST

OVER 43: ENG 215/7 (Atkinson 0 Brook 33)

Gus Atkinson, in at number nine, faces the final ball of Krishna’s over which will start the session and it is a dot ball.

04:16 PM BST

Evening session

Before the session gets back under way, The Oval rises to applaud Graham Thorpe.

Remembering Graham Thorpe - Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

England dominated the morning, India had much the better of the afternoon, who will control the evening? Harry Brook and Gus Atkinson are out in the middle for England, who have just two wickets remaining.

04:12 PM BST

Tea verdict

Bazball is back in its box. England lost six for 106 in the afternoon, India roaring back into the game and now, you would say, in charge. India coach Gautam Gambhir must have given his players a rocket at lunch after they were flogged in the morning by England;s opener because they came out breathing fire, picking a fight with Joe Root, of all people, and knocked over the middle order. India bowled much better with tighter lines and length, letting the pitch do the rest. Pope and Root were beaten all ends up by Siraj hitting the seam. 

Bethell, in his first red ball innings since December, fell to a wicked inswinging Siraj yorker before Prasidh Krishna struck twice in the over before tea: Jamie Smith caught slashing to slip and Jamie Overton leg before fourth ball, having not laid a bat on any of them. With Chris Woakes out the Test, England have two batsmen left and the third innings will decide the game.

04:11 PM BST

Day for Thorpey

Word through from the ECB that so far at the Oval today £107,751 has been raised for Mind in honour of Graham Thorpe. It’s been an incredible atmosphere.

04:07 PM BST

Inside Duckett’s extraordinary skirmish with Deep

After all the tension between England and India in recent weeks, here was a sight that fleetingly suggested that Test cricket had returned to a more chivalric age. An opening bowler had his arm around the shoulder of a batsman he had just dismissed, consoling him while congratulating him on his innings.

The sight encapsulated the spirit in which Akash Deep and Ben Duckett approached their skirmish before lunch at The Oval. While Deep found his characteristic attacking length, Duckett found an extraordinary response, unfurling his dazzling repertoire of scoops and reverse scoops.

The shot eventually led to his downfall, when he gloved a reverse-scoop on 47, failing to get sufficient elevation to lift the ball above the wicketkeeper. But the same shot also underpinned England’s buoyant start to their innings, adding 93 for the opening wicket at 7.2 runs an over.

03:58 PM BST

Momentum shifting

This game is absolutely rattling along. England have had a very poor session and while they may get a lead, it is unlikely to be the match-defining one they need given they are batting last, and a bowler down. The other point to make is that their undercooked attack are going to be bowling again tonight with little rest, which is far from ideal.

03:56 PM BST

Tea

That will be it for the session and after England dominated the morning, that has well and truly been India’s afternoon. England now have just two wickets remaining as Woakes will not bat.

England head into the tea interval at 215/7, nine runs behind.

03:55 PM BST

Wicket

Overton LBW Krishna 0 Overton has gone without troubling the scorers. Krishna smashes into Overton’s pads and the finger goes up. For some reason Brook allows Overton to review and I have no idea why as it is three reds. FOW 215/7

03:49 PM BST

Wicket

Smith c Rahul b Krishna 8 That is a top catch from Rahul but a poor shot from Smith. The England and Surrey keeper just wofts at a wider delivery with no real conviction and the ball flies off the outside edge. It is travelling at some speed and it is a great grab by Rahul at second slip. An important wicket for India on the stroke of tea. FOW 215/6

India turning the tables - Henry Nicholls/Getty Images

03:48 PM BST

OVER 42: ENG 215/5 (Smith 8 Brook 33)

What a lovely way to finish the over. Brook beats cover to his left and the ball races away for four. Brilliant timing on that from Brook.

03:46 PM BST

OVER 41: ENG 210/5 (Smith 7 Brook 29)

Siraj’s lengthy spell is over and Prasidh Krishna replaces him at the Pavilion End. Three runs from the over.

England trail by 14 runs.

03:41 PM BST

OVER 40: ENG 207/5 (Smith 6 Brook 27)

For the first time in the innings, spin is being brought on Ravindra Jadeja will turn his arm over around 15 minutes before the tea interval.

Second ball Brook cleverly pulls out a paddle sweep that runs away fine for four. Clever batting from Brook.

The first ball he faces up to Jadeja, Smith uses his feet and gets a single behind square on the legside.

Jadeja’s into the attack with India four overs behind the rate. He will be in a hurry as ever!

03:38 PM BST

OVER 39: ENG 201/5 (Smith 5 Brook 22)

Siraj’s spell goes on, with around 20 minutes to go until tea, which is slightly later today due to play lost yesterday.

England trail by 23 runs.

03:33 PM BST

OVER 38: ENG 200/5 (Smith 5 Brook 21)

Smith gets some width from Deep and takes advantage, crashing a drive through cover point for four to bring up the England 200.

03:29 PM BST

OVER 37: ENG 196/5 (Smith 1 Brook 21)

Jamie Smith, on his home ground, comes to the crease with England 29 runs behind and he is off the mark second ball with a single down to fine leg.

03:26 PM BST

Wicket

Bethell LBW Siraj 6 One ball after crashing Siraj through point for four, Bethell is gone and Siraj has his third LBW of the innings. It is a full inswinger from Siraj that traps Bethell in front and it did not take too long for the finger to go up. No real consideration of a review there and rightly so as it was plumb. FOW 195/5

Magnificent from Mohammed Siraj today. What a competitor and what a spell this afternoon. I’ve said it a few times but you would just want him in your team, wouldn’t you?

India fighting back in the afternoon session - Gareth Copley/Getty Images

03:23 PM BST

OVER 36: ENG 190/4 (Bethell 2 Brook 21)

Bethell shows his first bit of aggression, using his feet to Deep, but it brings no reward.

Deep strays onto the pads and Bethell flicks away, with the ball dropping just short of Jaiswal at mid-wicket.

Brook finishes the over with a flick through square leg for three. Siraj, in the middle of a spell, charged after it to prevent the ball going for four.

03:18 PM BST

OVER 35: ENG 186/4 (Bethell 1 Brook 18)

Siraj finds the outside edge of Brook’s bat but the ball races through the vacant third slip region for four. It bounced comfortably short of the slips as Brook played with soft hands. Do India need to close that gap as that is three boundaries through that region in the last few overs?

Siraj drops a tad too short and Brook is quick onto the back foot, pulling away in front of square for four.

Bethell gets off the mark sixth ball with a single into the legside.

England trail by 38 runs.

England are looking to gain a decent first-innings lead - Stu Forster/Getty Images

03:12 PM BST

OVER 34: ENG 176/4 (Bethell 0 Brook 9)

Jacob Bethell, without much cricket of late, is in at number six. He did look impressive batting at number three away in New Zealand last winter. A reminder England only have nine wickets to play with due to Chris Woakes’ injury.

Brook has flirted with danger in this innings, the latest example an inside edge that brings him a single through square leg.

Deep bowls an absolute beauty to Bethell first up that nips away from a full length and goes past the outside edge. Bethell then plays with soft hands, guiding an edge into the ground and bouncing a long way short of the slips. This is a real challenge for Bethell in these helpful bowling conditions.

03:06 PM BST

Wicket

Root LBW Siraj 29 Siraj strikes Root on the pads and the finger goes up fairly quickly. That looked out yet Root is quick to review, not really waiting for a conversation with Brook. It is a bad review as it is three reds and Root is gone. FOW 175/4

03:01 PM BST

OVER 32: ENG 167/3 (Root 21 Brook 8)

The camera has panned to Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, Alec Stewart and Manoj Badale sat next to each other. Badale is the owner of the Rajasthan Royals. I think, if my memory serves me well, Stewart and Hodgson were sat next to each other during the Lord’s Test.

02:56 PM BST

OVER 31: ENG 165/3 (Root 20 Brook 7)

That is one of the best shots you will see today. Root goes with the away movement from Siraj and leans into a lovely drive in complete control of the shot through cover for four.

Siraj then hits Root on the pads but there will be no review incoming as India feel there may have been bat involved. In typical Root style, you look up and he already has 20 to his name.

Sumptuous from Joe Root - Stu Forster/Getty Images

02:48 PM BST

OVER 30: ENG 161/3 (Root 16 Brook 7)

That is one of the challenges Jurel has standing up to the seamers. Deep’s line is off and sends one down the legside, which Jurel cannot gather and the ball runs away for four byes, which was not really Jurel’s fault considering he would have been unsighted right up until the final moment the ball went past Root.

England trail by 63 and it is time for drinks.

The challenge of standing up to the stumps - Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

02:44 PM BST

OVER 29: ENG 154/3 (Root 14 Brook 6)

Brook charges at Siraj for the second time in this innings and this time Jurel was up to the stumps. The connection is not pure and it slices into the air on the offside but lands safely at wide mid-off. Brook came back for two.

Dhruv Jurel standing up to Mohammed Siraj shows what a terrific keeper he is. And it makes it difficult for Harry Brook to use his feet so liberally, showing the value of supreme keeping skills.

Harry Brook charging even with the keeper up - Stu Forster/Getty Images

02:39 PM BST

OVER 28: ENG 152/3 (Root 14 Brook 4)

Krishna’s spell is over and Akash Deep is back into the attack. India have just three seamers in the match. To prevent Root from standing well outside his crease, Jurel has come up to the stumps.

Deep strays onto Root’s pads and the Yorkshireman says thank you very much, easily flicking the ball away for four through square leg. That boundary brings up the England 150.

02:33 PM BST

OVER 27: ENG 148/3 (Root 10 Brook 4)

This phase of play is very different to the one before lunch and a lot of that is down to India bowling a lot better.

Going to be fascinating to see how Jacob Bethell in his fourth Test shapes up in these conditions - conditions which could be replicated several times this winter eg on day one on a damp track in Perth, or under lights in the Brisbane day/nighter. A watertight defence would be nice but he’ll need a bit of luck, which Zak Crawley and Harry Brook had when inside-edging for four. 

02:29 PM BST

OVER 26: ENG 147/3 (Root 9 Brook 4)

Just the one run from the over.

England trail by 77 runs.

Is this the absence of Ben Stokes showing? I’m not so sure India would be so lippy in the field if the England captain were about to come in next. It is a good tactic though because you suspect England will lose their focus and cool.

02:25 PM BST

OVER 25: ENG 146/3 (Root 8 Brook 4)

Harry Brook is in at number five to make it two Yorkshiremen at the crease. Second ball he charges at Siraj and gets a thick inside edge down to fine leg for four.

For England followers this match would be all too close now with three wickets down - but for that opening stand in the first 13 overs by Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.

Taking the ultra-aggressive option - Paul Childs/Reuters

02:21 PM BST

Wicket

Pope LBW Siraj 22 Mohammed Siraj has replaced Deep at the Pavilion End. He strikes Pope on the pads and is demanding it is given out but umpire Ahsan Raza shakes his head. India take a long while to decider whether to review or not and they seemed to be a disconnect between the umpire’s countdown and the on-screen timer. It appeared to hit zero before Gill called for the review but over the stump mic the countdown seemed to be at around one. If you remember earlier in the series at Edgbaston the controversy when Jaiswal reviewed after the clock hit zero, but on that occasion he was out anyway. It is three reds and Pope has to go. FOW 142/3

02:17 PM BST

OVER 24: ENG 142/2 (Root 8 Pope 22)

As Krishna prepares to bowl his next over, more words are being had between the Indian seamer and the umpires which, as Will Macpherson said, suggests they believe Krishna has stepped out of line.

Root square drives just behind point for a lovely boundary, which will not impress the fired-up Krishna.

India then think they have Root caught down the legside and appeal vociferously but umpire Kumar Dharmasena shakes his head. Shubman Gill contemplates a review but ultimately opts against it. That is the right call as there was no bat but instead a flick off the pads.

India back in it after taking two wickets. Teams at each other’s throats, angry verbals, series on the line, real drama - and the ball carrying, not attritional grind. All the elements that only a five-Test series can have. 

02:13 PM BST

OVER 23: ENG 138/2 (Root 4 Pope 22)

It is nearly the first maiden over of the innings from India but Deep finds the outside edge of Pope’s bat and the ball races through a vacant third/ fourth slip region for four.

02:09 PM BST

OVER 22: ENG 134/2 (Root 4 Pope 18)

Joe Root, now Test cricket’s second leading run-scorer of all time, strides to the crease at number four. A few balls after the wicket of Crawley, Krishna bowls a no ball and he will be relieved that the ball that dismissed Crawley was not also a no ball, which he was a little concerned about for a moment after getting Crawley.

Root gets off the mark with a four off the back foot through backward point. There are then words exchanged between Root and Krishna and the umpires have a word with Krishna and India captain Gill. Root went back at something Krishna has said, which is rare to see Root get involved with that. Krishna has already unnecessarily thrown the ball at Crawley and now has given some chat to Root, who did not take kindly to that.

Getting feisty out in the middle - Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

I don’t think I have ever seen Joe Root talk to a bowler like that. The umpire’s long lecture to Prasidh Krishna suggest they think he is in the wrong. Curious passage, for sure.

Tempers boiling over once more - Paul Childs/Reuters

02:03 PM BST

Wicket

Crawley c Jadeja b Krishna 64 A rather pathetic way to go. Crawley attempts to pull away but gets a top edge, which loops into the grateful arms of Jadeja at square leg for a rather simple catch. Crawley had looked good and therefore will be annoyed not only with his dismissal but also the fact he has not gone on to make a century. FOW 129/2

02:02 PM BST

OVER 21: ENG 129/1 (Crawley 64 Pope 18)

It may not be quite as thrilling at the start of this session from England as the last was but these two are rotating strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

01:57 PM BST

OVER 20: ENG 126/1 (Crawley 63 Pope 17)

A bit of an ‘Oh, Ah!’ goes up in the crowd as Krishna throws a ball back at Crawley rather unnecessarily as the England opener was clearly stationary in his crease and never left his ground. Krishna immediately apologies and Crawley accepts but that does not stop some in the crowd from booing, perhaps a little in gest and ironically.

01:53 PM BST

OVER 19: ENG 124/1 (Crawley 62 Pope 16)

Beautiful shot from Crawley, who leans forward on a drive from a full delivery from Deep and the ball races past Deep and the stumps for four down the ground.

He then takes a risk as he goes aerially on a drive through mid-on but it goes just over the head of a diving Siraj.

England trail by exactly 100 runs.

A Superman dive from Mohammed Siraj could not prevent the boundary - Andy Kearns/Getty Images

01:49 PM BST

OVER 18: ENG 115/1 (Crawley 54 Pope 16)

Prasidh Krishna will start up from the Vauxhall End. There are some clouds bubbling up around The Oval, with some rain forecast this afternoon.

Pope is dropped! The stand-in captain jabs at a wider delivery off the back foot and it takes the outside edge. Sudharsan gets his hands to it diving at his fifth slip position but he cannot cling on. To add to his misery, the ball runs away for four. Sudharsan probably should have taken that and that chance was created on Nelson; 111!

Chance not taken by India - Stu Forster/Getty Images

01:45 PM BST

OVER 17: ENG 110/1 (Crawley 53 Pope 12)

Akash Deep will begin proceedings this afternoon, with Zak Crawley on strike, who begins with a single down to fine leg off an inside edge. When England bat like they did this morning, it is so difficult to contain, shown by the fact there were no maidens bowled by India in the first session.

Pope flashes at a wider delivery from Deep and fortunately for England’s stand-in captain it bounces short of Jadeja at point.

Just one run from the first over after lunch.

01:40 PM BST

Afternoon session

It was pretty much the perfect session for England this morning and they will be hoping to continue their momentum this afternoon. Zak Crawley (52) and Ollie Pope (12) stride out into the middle after the lunch interval.

This is a massive session coming up for India. They are the team 2-1 down in this series and have to win this Test to not lose the series. Another bad session for them here will give them a mountaim to climb, which may be too much for them to claw back from.

01:35 PM BST

Lunchtime verdict

Bazball is back. England reverted to type, going hard against India in good bowling conditions to cap a perfect morning. Ben Duckett scooped and reverse pulled two sixes and Zak Crawley hit a 42-ball fifty as India were treated to their first real dose of Bazball this series.

Gus Atkinson’s five-fer polished off India, who lost four for six with batsmen 9-11 making zero runs. Duckett struggled a little at first with five off 12 balls but a six off Akash Deep set him on his way. He smashed three fours in the next over and brought up England’s fifty with a scoop for six.

He was given a bit of a serve by Deep when he was out gloving another scoop to the keeper but Crawley carried on, cracking his 12th four to bring up his 50 just before lunch - 48 in boundaries. Has The Hundred started already?

01:29 PM BST

Friendly or too far?

It was difficult to tell how friendly this moment was but it is safe to say many other batsmen would have not responded too kindly to being embraced just after being dismissed by the person who has just got you out. Could Akash Deep yet find himself in hot water for it? Have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.

Akash Deep put his arm around Ben Duckett after dismissing him - Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

01:23 PM BST

A day that is about more than just cricket

01:17 PM BST

Ravi Shastri on Sky Sports

“The game has moved forward and India have been blown away. They lost four wickets for 20 runs and then England scores so quickly.

“That is alarming for India so they will sit down and say, ‘let’s focus on where we want to bowl’. The batsmen will try different things but India need to stick to a line and length and build pressure at both ends, not try too many things.”

01:14 PM BST

Ricky Ponting on Sky Sports

“England could not have asked for much more. The disappointing thing from India’s point of view is how much the ball has done and they have not been able to use that at all.

“We have watched England be front-foot and take the game forward over the last four or five years and they have done that perfectly today. They have scored at almost seven runs an over.

“[Ben] Duckett and [Zak] Crawley can put bowlers off their length and I do not think India bowled full enough with the new ball.

“They also have not bowled enough bouncers, something we talked about in the last game [at Emirates Old Trafford]. They have not pushed the batsmen back and got them thinking.”

England will be delighted with their morning session - Paul Childs/Reuters

01:11 PM BST

Woakes out of Ashes with dislocated shoulder which could open door for Cook

Chris Woakes’s hopes of going on this winter’s Ashes tour are all but over after he suffered a serious shoulder dislocation that likely requires surgery.

Woakes was injured late on the opening day of the fifth Test against India, and will play no further part in the match unless he is absolutely required to bat.

He had scans on Thursday evening that confirmed the injury to his left shoulder was serious, however he is likely to require further assessment to fully ascertain how long he will be out. Surgery is likely required.

Shoulder dislocations can take as long as six months for cricketers to recover from. Ollie Pope, England’s captain for the fifth Test, has suffered a number of serious shoulder injuries, each of which kept him out for at least four months.

Chris Woakes facing lengthy spell on the sidelines? - Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

01:03 PM BST

England in great position after near perfect session

What a session. Played at absolute breakneck speed and England end it in a great position. Not far off the perfect session for them. 

01:02 PM BST

OVER 16: ENG 109/1 (Crawley 52 Pope 12)

Pope drives Krishna for - you guessed it - four more, the 19th of the innings. But then, to continue the theme of the innings, he is beaten by an unplayable lifter from Krishna.

That’s end of a near-perfect morning for England. They took the last four India wickets for six runs in 18 balls, then set about India’s seamers with ferocious intent. They are almost halfway to India’s score of 224, and we’ve only had 16 overs. Watching it was a dizzying experience; goodness knows how India’s bowlers - and their captain Shubman Gill - must feel.

12:55 PM BST

OVER 15: ENG 105/1 (Crawley 52 Pope 8)

Pope forces Deep through the covers for three to bring up the England hundred, then Crawley thick edges for four to bring up a spectacular, boundary-laden fifty: 42 balls, 12 fours.

Zak Crawley passes fifty - Paul Childs/Reuters

12:52 PM BST

OVER 14: ENG 97/1 (Crawley 47 Pope 5)

Pope’s first boundary is a cracker, driven sweetly through extra cover off Krishna. Nothing he can do with the next delivery, a seaming lifter that beats the outside edge.

This is not a 97/1 pitch. And it’s really not a 97/1 (14 overs) pitch.

12:52 PM BST

OVER 14: ENG 97/1 (Crawley 47 Pope 5)

Pope’s first boundary is a cracker, driven sweetly through extra cover off Krishna. Nothing he can do with the next delivery, a seaming lifter that beats the outside edge.

This is not a 97/1 pitch. And it’s really not a 97/1 (14 overs) pitch.

12:50 PM BST

OVER 13: ENG 93/1 (Crawley 47 Pope 1)

Many batsmen in the game’s history would have responded to Deep’s gesture with a right-hander; Duckett settled for a quick glare before Deep was pulled away by one of his teammates.

Akash Deep celebrates the wicket of Ben Duckett. - Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Akash Deep puts his arm round Ben Duckett. - Alex Davidson/Getty Images

12:47 PM BST

Wicket!

Duckett c Jurel b Deep 43 Ben Duckett dies by the reverse scoop. He tried it again, having had such success earlier in the innings, but could only scuff this one through to the keeper Jurel.

Deep celebrated by putting his arm round Duckett’s shoulder and having a few ostensibly playful words, a peculiar gesture that will probably lead to some kind of sanction. Duckett has gone for a classic tone-setting cameo: 43 from 43 from 38 balls with five fours and two sixes. FOW: 92/1

12:42 PM BST

OVER 12: ENG 92/0 (Crawley 47 Duckett 43)

A no-ball from Krishna is pulled brusquely through midwicket for four by Duckett. In context – series decider, difficult pitch, decent attack – this is an astonishing onslaught from England. Crawley has 47 from 40 balls, Duckett 43 from just 33.

12:37 PM BST

India may have to turn to spin - on a green top

I can’t tell you how brilliant this opening partnership is. India’s seamers can barely bring themselves to walk back to their mark. At this rate India will have to bring on Ravi Jadeja before lunch on a green top.

India captain Shubman Gill tries to work out how to stop Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. - Stu Forster/Getty Images

12:36 PM BST

OVER 11: ENG 84/0 (Crawley 46 Duckett 37)

Duckett charges Deep for the umpteenth time and leathers a boundary past mid-off. The scorecard suggests an England rampage, but there has been at least one false stroke in every over.

Batting is not easy, which makes this onslaught even more remarkable. Crawley responds to a play and miss by hammering the next two balls over the off side for four. There have been 1t fours and two sixes in the first 11 overs. Even by Cruckett’s standards, this is remarkable.

12:31 PM BST

OVER 10: ENG 71/0 (Crawley 38 Duckett 32)

Crawley carves/edges Krishna over the slips for four more. The ball is still doing a bit - Krishna’s over ends with a nipbacker that hits Crawley in the stomach - but the audacity of Crawley and Duckett has changed the mood completely. India desperately need a wicket.

Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are up to their old tricks. - HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP

12:27 PM BST

OVER 9: ENG 64/0 (Crawley 33 Duckett 30)

Deep changes ends and almost picks up Crawley, who edges on the bounce to gully. Later in the over he drops short and is pulled contemptuously for four. Crawley has scored 32 off his 33 runs in boundaries, most from shots that came out of the middle of the middle.

Deep has bowled pretty well with the new ball and is somehow nursing figures of 4-0-24-0.

12:23 PM BST

OVER 8: ENG 59/0 (Crawley 29 Duckett 29)

Prasidh Krishna replaces Deep, who will surely change ends, and is unfortunate when Crawley inside edges his second ball past leg stump for four. How did that miss?

Crawley doesn’t care. He carries merrily on, pounding a short ball through point for yet another boundary. This is devastating stuff.

12:21 PM BST

India deflated by England onslaught

Difficult to exaggerate just how brilliant this opening partnership has been, even if it ends immediately. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett are visibly deflating the Indian opening bowlers - and they have got only three seamers. The ball is moving around much more than on the first morning for some reason yet England have already played masterful strokes, most memorably of course Duckett’s reverse-scoop for six but also Crawley’s driving.

Ben Duckett reverse scoops Akash Deep for six. - Stu Forster/Getty Images

12:18 PM BST

OVER 7: ENG 51/0 (Crawley 21 Duckett 29)

Crawley continues the starburst of boundaries with a straight drive off Siraj. If he’s playing classical strokes, then Duckett is the complete opposite. He dances a long way outside off stump to ping Siraj over the keeper’s head for six.

That brings up the fifty partnership inside seven overs, just another day at the office for the most aggressive opening partnership in Test history. No other opening pair with at least 500 runs have scored at more than five an over.

12:12 PM BST

OVER 6: ENG 40/0 (Crawley 16 Duckett 23)

Duckett charges Deep to crash a boundary through point, then does exactly the same thing two balls later. If it ain’t broke...

India might be broken if this continues for long. Duckett makes it three fours in the over with a crisp flick behind square. This is fabulous, initiative-seizing batting.

The other ends with Duckett missing another violent swipe. You suspect that moral victory makes Deep feel even worse about life.

12:08 PM BST

OVER 5: ENG 28/0 (Crawley 16 Duckett 11)

Shooooooooooot! Siraj is slightly too full to Crawley, who pummels a drive through mid-off for four. India need to end this partnership urgently - not just because it’s the first of 10 wickets, but because another hour of Crawley and Duckett will scramble their brains completely. There’s still a lot of assistance in this pitch and India need to keep hitting a line and length. It’s hard to do that when Crawley and Duckett get going.

12:04 PM BST

A very Bazball answer

What an incredible shot: a reverse scoop for six from Ben Duckett. A very Bazball answer to some dangerous bowling from Akash Deep, who bowls a very full, aggressive length with the new ball.

12:04 PM BST

OVER 4: ENG 24/0 (Crawley 12 Duckett 11)

Duckett is hit amidships by Deep, then survives an LBW review next ball. It was a fine delivery from Deep but would have bounced over the top. Shubman Gill looked reluctant to review; Deep talked him into it. 

In an attempt to relieve the burgeoning pressure, Duckett charges down the track and misses an almighty slap. Deep is all over him here. A lifter takes the shoulder of the bat and somehow - I’m still not sure how - drops short of gully. 

One ball to go, Duckett will just defend it, right? Behave yourself. He reverse hoicks it over the cordon for six, a shot that is both amazing and unsurprising.

11:54 AM BST

OVER 3: ENG 18/0 (Crawley 12 Duckett 5)

Crawley, batting outside his crease, stands tall to drive Siraj superbly through the covers for four. Siraj overcompensates next ball and is put away for four more, this time through midwicket. England’s openers have started well.

11:48 AM BST

Atkinson shows what England have missed

Amazing from Atkinson really. He came into this game on the back of a couple of spells in club cricket, then 30 overs for the Surrey second team. He’s quietly been a massive miss for me this summer.

Mohammed Siraj is bowled by Gus Atkinson. - Paul Childs/Action Images via Reuters

11:47 AM BST

OVER 2: ENG 9/0 (Crawley 4 Duckett 4)

Akash Deep, who should be a handful on this pitch, shares the new ball. He appeals for LBW when Crawley is hit on the thigh by a beauty; it was too high but an early sign of Deep’s threat when the ball moves sideways.

A good first over ends with Crawley mistiming a forcing stroke.

11:44 AM BST

OVER 1: ENG 8/0 (Crawley 4 Duckett 3)

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj takes the first over. Ben Duckett gets the first runs off the bat with a crisp square cut for three; it would have been four but for the usual brilliance of Jadeja in the field.

Zak Crawley sees Duckett and raises him with a punishing cut for four. Good start for England.

11:34 AM BST

Back with a bang

Please note that Gus Atkinson ran through India’s lower order with an old - very old - ball. India back to where they started this series, their lower order collapsing.

Gus Atkinson raises the ball after taking a five-for at The Oval. - Alex Davidson/Getty Images

11:31 AM BST

A quick kill

England took the last four wickets for six runs in 18 balls. Once again India’s tail was an irrelevance: Nos 9-11 scored precisely no runs between them. But a total of 224 could be very handy on this pitch.

11:29 AM BST

Wicket!

Krishna c Smith b Atkinson 0 Outstanding bowling from Gus Atkinson, who picks up Krishna with an outswinger to complete a fabulous five-for on his return. His figures are as eye-catching as they are deserved: 21.4-8-33-5. FOW: 224 all out

11:27 AM BST

Wicket!

Siraj b Atkinson 0 Gus Atkinson bowls Siraj with an immaculate full-length offcutter: through the gate, goodnight. He’s one away from a five-for and has bowled quite brilliantly. The downside is that, with figures of 4/33, he has shown what is possible on this pitch if your line and length are consistent. FOW: 224/9

11:26 AM BST

OVER 69: IND 224/8 (Deep 0, Siraj 0)

Josh Tongue, ladies and gents. Deep is beaten by a ridiculous 86mph legcutter that bounces just over middle stump; save those for Steve Smith, he might nick them. But then he spears one onto the pads for four leg-byes.

11:21 AM BST

OVER 68: IND 220/8 (Deep 0, Siraj 0)

Washington is aghast with himself: that pull crunched off the bat, but only picked out midwicket. A terrific start for England, with the two returnees, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue, both needing to take the last two wickets for a five-fer. Despite Tongue’s waywardness, he has shown why England think that he is a bowler of great balls. But England will want to wrap this up quickly, knowing that the three seamers have plenty more bowling to do in the second innings. 

11:19 AM BST

Wicket!

Washington c J Overton b Atkinson 26 Well bowled Gus Atkinson! He has bounced out Washington, who hooked a little lazily and was well caught by Overton at deep square leg. This is a perfect start for England. FOW: 220/8

11:18 AM BST

OVER 67: IND 218/7 (Washington 23, Deep 0)

Akash Deep is the new batter.

11:16 AM BST

A Day for Thorpey

Graham Thorpe’s wife Amanda and daughter Emma ring the bell for the start of play at The Oval. - Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

11:10 AM BST

Wicket!

Nair LBW b Tongue 57 Josh Tongue, ladies and gents. His first ball, to Washington, curves miles down the leg side for four byes; later in the over he traps Karun Nair plumb LBW with a beauty, full and nipping back sharply off the seam. Three wickets to Tongue, all from jaffas. FOW: 218/7

11:09 AM BST

OVER 66: IND 213/6 (Nair 57, Washington 23)

LBW appeal Nair offers no shot to a huge nipbacker from Atkinson that would actually have missed leg stump. England rightly decided against a review. I suspect Nair left it on height, legitimately so, but it jars to see a batsman pad up to a ball that is missing leg stump rather than off.

Atkinson starts with a maiden, his eighth of the innings. In the circumstances he has bowled remarkably well.

11:06 AM BST

OVER 65: IND 213/6 (Nair 57, Washington 23)

Josh Tongue’s first ball of the day goes to the boundary - but it could easily have brought a wicket. Karun Nair drove loosely and snicked wide of second slip at catchable height.

That’s the start of a liquorice allsorts over from Tongue: a full toss taht Nair doesn’t push, a good inswinger that leads to an unsuccessful LBW appeal against Washington and a poor delivery that Washington puts away to fine leg.

10:58 AM BST

England’s leading wicket-taker: Joe Root

Without Woakes, England’s attack looks very thin. Their wicketiest Test bowler is Joe Root, with 73.

• Root 73
• Atkinson 54
• Tongue 25
• Bethell 3
• Overton 2
• Brook 1

Harry Brook and Joe Root, who have 74 Test wickets between them, pose alongside the captain Ollie Pope. - Stu Forster/Getty Images

10:56 AM BST

Woakes injury puts dampener on the match

Such sad news about Cris Woakes and it’s put a dampener on this Test match, handicapping England who face a real fight in this game a man down. Woakes has had a fine England career: World Cup winner, man of the match in the semi-final on his home ground and bowled England to an Ashes series levelling victory in 2023. This is his 62nd Test and 12 years on from his debut here alongside Simon Kerrigan in a dead rubber Ashes Test. 

He struggled at first in Test cricket but added pace to his bowling to establish himself as a potent first change in the right conditions behind Anderson-Broad. I felt this Ashes tour would have been a trip too far. His form in this series has been poor and he has never been effective with the Kookaburra away from home. If it does end here, I’m sure he will leave international cricket fulfilled and admit he exceeded even his own expectations.

10:35 AM BST

Play to continue until 7pm

There will be an extra half hour’s play to make up some of the time lost to rain on day one. Here are the revised hours of play.

• Morning session 1100 - 1300
• Lunch 1300 - 1340
• Afternoon session 1340 - 1555
• Tea 1555 - 1615

• Evening session 1615 - 1830 

  Plus 30 mins extra to complete the 98 overs

10:31 AM BST

Woakes’ Ashes hopes in the balance

Good morning from the Oval, where lots of people are wearing headbands in tribute to the great Graham Thorpe.

Bad news for England, and very bad news for Chris Woakes. We don’t have a full prognosis yet, but the word is that it’s a serious shoulder dislocation. He’s done for this game – although maybe he’d stagger out if England were nine down needing a few to win, or whatnot – and I would think he’s heading for the operating table, and his Ashes hopes are all but over. It’s not beyond the realms that, at 36, his Test career could be over in very sad fashion.  

10:04 AM BST

A Day for Thorpey

This would have been Graham Thorpe’s 56th birthday. Thorpe, the greatest England player of his generation and a Surrey legend, took his own life on 4 August last year after an extended period of mental illness.

Earlier this week, we published a feature in which Thorpe’s family spoke about the impact of his death and shared private photos of somebody who was a family man first, a great batsman second.

Graham Thorpe with his wife Amanda. - Amanda Thorpe/Amanda Thorpe

Joe Root, who was mentored by Graham Thorpe, wears a white headband in tribute at the Kia Oval. - Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Jacob Bethell pays tribute to Graham Thorpe. - Stu Forster/Getty Images

09:53 AM BST

Good morning

Day 22, and we still have no idea how this punishing Test series is going to finish. Twenty-two is almost the number of casualties across the England and India squads over the last two months. The latest is Chris Woakes – the ECB have confirmed that he will play no further part in this match after suffering a serious shoulder injury while trying to save a boundary last night.

“England seamer Chris Woakes will continue to be monitored throughout the remainder of the fifth Rothesay Test at the Kia Oval, following a left shoulder injury sustained on day one of the match against India,” says an ECB statement. ”At this stage, the injury has ruled him out of any further participation in the Test. A further assessment will be conducted at the conclusion of the series.”

Woakes’ absence puts a lot of pressure on an England attack that already looked light in the absence of Ben Stokes – and makes it even more important that they take India’s last four wickets at their earliest convenience. India will resume on 204 for 6 after an odd, stop-start first day in which England bowled dreadfully at times and magnificently at others.

The only consistent performer was Gus Atkinson, who bowled quite beautifully on his return to Test cricket. Atkinson’s figures of 19-7-31-2 do not flatter him – not least because they don’t acknowledge his crucial run out of Shubman Gill in the afternoon.

“I feel fresh, I feel good,” said Atkinson, whose workload will increase due to Woakes’ injury. “I know I’ve only got this one game to play so I can push the limits a bit.”

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