Alastair Cook, Englan, India, The Oval
Joe Root and Alastair Cook overjoyed. (Credits - Getty)

At The Oval, it was a perfect first session, England would ever ask, especially, in a match where a legend like Alastair Cook is calling it quits. The first session of the day four of the fifth and final Test between England and India completely belongs to the hosts after the incredible batting display by the mighty Alastair Cook alongside skipper Joe Root.

The captain and the senior man kept India chasing the leather often than not throughout the first session on the penultimate day of the fifth Test. They toyed Indian bowlers with their solid defence, and perhaps, it was the session that almost sealed the game for England.

Alastair Cook smashes century in his last innings for England –

After starting the day 114 for two, both Cook and Root ensured no further hiccups for England. They both guaranteed to keep Indian bowlers away from causing any sort of trouble.

Alastair Cook, England vs India 2018
Alastair Cook scored an unbeaten century, Credits: Getty

Both the Englishmen stroked it to the perfect to registered a massive unbeaten partnership at the end of the 1st session on day four of the fifth Test. Cook, in particular, showed great determination to smash a memorable century in his last innings.

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On the other hand, Root looked quite happy in stroking the ball to fences often than not. He played with a great strike-rate to build on the considerable target for India.

Joe Root, India, England
Joe Root is batting on 92* at The Oval. PC Getty Images

None of the Indian bowlers looked like doing it for the team. India tried all their weapons to rattle the defence constructed by Cook and Root, but, in the end, it ended up on the wrong side of the things.

At the of the lunch session, England is on 243 for two with a massive 283-run lead. The skipper Root is on the verge of scoring a century with 92* to his name while Alastair Cook is batting on 103*.

Brief Scores:

1st Innings:

England – 332, India – 292

2nd Innings:

England – 243/2 (Cook 103*, Root 92*)

Match Status – England lead by 283 runs against India at the end of the 1st session of Day four of the Oval  Test.

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