Zak Crawley was dismissed on the second-to-last ball of day three as England made a steady push to chase down an impressive target of 374 to win the fifth Test against India at The Oval. He was bowled by Mohammed Siraj for 14, leaving England at 50-1 and needing 324 more runs for victory. Ben Duckett ended the day unbeaten on 34.
Despite Crawley’s departure, England was buoyed by improved batting conditions after spending much of the day on the field. India piled on 396 runs, thanks in part to more favorable weather. The pitch became flatter and offered less seam movement, allowing Yashasvi Jaiswal to shine with a brilliant 118 runs.
Another notable performance came from Akash Deep, who scored his first Test fifty. He and Jaiswal formed a strong partnership, adding 107 runs for the third wicket. England struggled to dismiss Deep, who was dropped on 21—one of six missed catches for the team. Their bowling attack, missing injured Chris Woakes, showed grit but was let down by fielding errors.
The game shifted slightly after lunch when Gus Atkinson took out captain Shubman Gill with his very first ball of the session. However, Ravindra Jadeja kept the momentum going for India, scoring 53. Washington Sundar then came in aggressively, launching four sixes in a quick-fire 39-ball fifty, boosting India’s lead.
Josh Tongue fought back for England, taking the last three wickets, including Jaiswal, and wrapping up with 5-125.
Astoundingly, this match offers England another chance for a massive chase. They kicked off the series by chasing 371 runs at Headingley, setting the tone for an exciting showdown. If successful, it would set the record for the highest Test chase at The Oval, surpassing 263 runs achieved against Australia back in 1902. However, rain is expected on Sunday, which could complicate their efforts.
According to cricket experts, England’s ability to conquer large targets this season demonstrates a growing resilience and adaptability. This trend, alongside their past performances, suggests a bright future for the team, provided they can maintain their focus and execution under pressure.
The excitement is palpable among fans, with social media buzzing about England’s potential historic chase. #ENGvIND has been trending on Twitter, reflecting the high stakes and anticipation as both teams battle for glory.
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