EVEN a huge display of courage by Chris Woakes was not enough to prevent England losing the Fifth Test.
Woakes came out to bat at No11 with his left arm in a sling underneath a short-sleeved sweater – but Gus Atkinson got out at the other end.
ReutersIndia won a thrilling Fifth Test by just six runs on a dramatic final morning[/caption]
GettyJamie Overton hit the first two balls of the day for four but England were nervous[/caption]
GettyMohammed Siraj had Jamie Smith caught behind in the second over[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialHeroic Chris Woakes batted one-handed with his arm in a sling[/caption]
India won by six runs and levelled the series 2-2.
Woakes walked to the middle with 17 runs needed and Atkinson manipulated the strike so he did not have to face a ball. He would have attempted to bat left-handed rather than his normal right-handed.
Atkinson hoisted a six over long-on off Mohammed Siraj and then managed to scamper a bye from the final ball of the over.
Woakes was clearly in agony as he sprinted to make his ground as Indian wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel missed with an underarm throw.
The pain increased at the start of the following over when he and Atkinson ran two.
But then, with seven runs needed to complete an incredible win, Atkinson had a big swing at Siraj and was bowled.
It was the most dramatic moment of a series that has captivated with tension, aggro and brilliant cricket.
England’s next Test matches will be in Australia this winter when they attempt to regain the Ashes.
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England began the final day needing 35 for victory and made the perfect start when Jamie Overton hit the first two balls for four.
Indian seamer Prasidh Krishna had four deliveries left to complete an over from the fourth evening.
AFPSmith trudged back to the pavilion after losing his wicket without adding any runs to his overnight tally[/caption]
GettyIndia had their tails up after two wickets in the opening 20 minutes[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialJosh Tongue was castled to leave England with a one-armed No11 in Woakes to bat[/caption]
The first was a gentle long hop that Overton pulled for four and next came an inside edge that scuttled to the fine leg boundary.
But then in the next over Jamie Smith edged the indefatigable Siraj and Jurel snaffled the chance.
No9 Atkinson edged his first ball but KL Rahul at second slip could not quite get his fingers under the ball.
Siraj struck again when he nailed Overton LBW. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena took an eternity to raise his finger but, when Overton reviewed, the DRS system showed ‘umpire’s call’ and the batsman had to go.
No10 Josh Tongue was given out lbw to Krishna by Ahsan Raza but a review showed the ball was missing leg stump by a distance. Even the umpires were getting caught up in the tension.
Woakes could be seen on the balcony and he had been practising in the indoor nets at the Oval.
He dislocated his left shoulder while fielding on the first day and is almost certainly out of the Ashes tour.
His arrival in the middle was reminiscent of Colin Cowdrey batting out with a broken arm to face the West Indies fast bowlers in a Test at Lord’s in 1963. Like Woakes, Cowdrey did not have to face a ball.
England were confident of inching across the winning line on the final day after centuries by Joe Root and Harry Brook put them in a strong position.
The Yorkshire pair added 195 for the fourth wicket with some dazzling strokeplay and England appeared to be cruising at 301-3 in pursuit of 374 for victory.
Root celebrated his century by removing a head band from his trousers and putting it on as a tribute to his friend and mentor Graham Thorpe.
England legend Thorpe, who took his own life last year, was a huge influence on Root when he worked as a coach.
During his career, Thorpe famously batted wearing a head band under his helmet.
Brook was caught at mid-off attempting a big hit – he actually let go of his bat as he swung hard.
Jacob Bethell looked out of sorts before being bowled and then Root edged a catch behind.
Rain halted play at 5.30pm and the players never reappeared despite the sun coming out shortly after 6pm.
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