The Indian seamers restricted England to a 23-run lead after the hosts had threatened to run away with a match that the tourists need to win to square the series.

Sloppy fielding by England did not help their cause with crucial catches dropped, giving India the momentum at The Oval.  Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was put down twice in his 51 not out, and Sai Sudharsan let off once before being trapped in front of the wicket by Gus Atkinson. The tourists eventually closed a chaotic day on 75-2, leading by 52.

India lost their last four first-innings wickets inside the first six overs of the morning to be bowled out for 224, then England lost all nine of their wickets for 155 runs in being dismissed for 247.

‘Another Oval full house will turn up’

Zak Crawley (64 off 57), Ben Duckett (43 off 38), and Harry Brook (53 off 64) all contributed with the bat for England, while Mohammed Siraj (4 for 86) and Prasidh Krishna (4 for 62) were blistering with the ball.

With a good weather forecast for Saturday (2/8), another Oval full house will turn up in expectation of more fireworks in what has been one of the most entertaining series for years.

England’s batting coach Marcus Trescothick told Reuters the match was finely balanced.

“There was a lot of positive cricket. We put them under pressure, but they fought back pretty well, and it sets it up nicely for tomorrow,” he said.

England leads the five-match Test series 2-1.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg