England vs India, 5th Test: Day Four, Tea: England Extend Lead to 404

England team is going from strength to strength by the end of the second session on day four of the 5^th Test against India at the Kennington Oval in London. It was a sensational 147 by calm Cook and a brilliant 125 by captain Joe Root which took England to a comfortable position.

The outgoing Cook shared a sensational stand of 259 runs with Root to almost bat India out of the match.

India did pick up a few quick wickets in the end, but by then the hosts had already taken their overall lead to 400-mark. Cook looked in great touch and after his knock, many might question Cook’s decision to retire. He looked in absolute command of proceedings and stormed his way to 147 before being dismissed by debutant Hanuma Vihari.

India on the backfoot after Cook and Root’s heroics:

Root, on the other hand, scored the first century of the ongoing Test series. He was the attacking partner and struck some gorgeous shots in the process.

Moreover, in an attempt to score quick runs, Root gave away his wicket to Vihari on 125. He went for a slog sweep but caught in the deep quite safely by substitute fielder Hardik Pandya.

Root’s innings of 125 came in 190 deliveries and were studded with 12 fours and a six. Vihari dismissed off the very next delivery. He got an outside edge as he attempted to cut a delivery from Vihari.

England lost two more wickets in quick succession as they were reduced to 357 for six from 325 for two.

Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Jos Buttler as he attempted to scoop a delivery straight over the bowler’s head.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami castled Jonny Bairstow with a peach of a delivery. England lost a flurry of wickets as they attempted to score quick runs. When tea was taken, England posted 363 for six with a lead of 404 runs.

England vs India, 5th Test; Day Four Tea – Brief Scores:

England 1^st innings 332 all-out in 112.1 overs (Jos Buttler 89, Alastair Cook 71, Ravindra Jadeja 4/79)

India 292 all-out in 95 overs (Ravindra Jadeja 86, Hanuma Vihari 56, Moeen Ali 2/50)

England 2^nd innings 364/6 in 105 overs (Alastair Cook 147, Joe Root 125, Hanuma Vihari 2/24)

England leads by 404 runs