Chris Woakes is ready to beat with an dislocated shoulder and “putting his body at stake” for England, with Joe Root confident that the hosts will apply the final touch to a decision -making decision against India.
For the fifth consecutive test, the game takes place until the last day after a fourth zero evening left all possible results.
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Brilliant centuries from Root (105) and Harry Brook (111) raised England towards a remarkable pursuit, set up for 301 to drive 374, but they lost three late counters to leave things in class.
Bad light and rain have stopped an exciting conclusion on its traces, England needed 35 points and India in search of four additional counters.
One of them belongs to Woakes, who did not present because he seriously damaged his left shoulder during the field on Friday. He was excluded from the match the next morning, but stayed with the team and is ready to beat at number 11 with his arm in a scarf if necessary.
“You’ve probably seen him in his whites in the locker room. He’s all in it, like the rest of us,” said Root.
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“Obviously, he suffers a lot of pain. But that means a huge amount for him and it simply shows the character and the person he is, that he is ready to put his body on the line like that for England.
“If that happens to that, I hope he can make us cross the line and win an incredible series.”
Root was not surprised to see a dramatic end taking place after almost seven weeks of blood battle, but, having made a huge amount of heavy lifting alongside Brook, fantasy, England to triumph.
“It was always going to happen like that wasn’t that? Watch the first four games,” he said.
“It is incredible to play and quite suitable that we will get this kind of finish. It was a hell of a series, a hell of a trip, and there is clearly confidence in our locker room. I would like to think that we have what we need to cross the line.”
Harry Brook, on the left, and centuries made in Root (Ben Whitley / PA)
Root had previously marked his 39th test Hundred and third this summer, with a touching tribute to the fire Graham Thorpe. The former test striker, who committed suicide last year, had a close relationship with Root during his time as an assistant coach of England.
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When he reached three figures, Root produced one of the white banners inspired by Thorpe, Surrey sold to collect funds for mental health organization and carried him while he turned to the sky.
“It was on behalf of our team. It was just a thank you for everything that gave him the cricket game, and English cricket, on and off the field,” he said.
“It was incredible to recognize everything he did as a player, as a coach, as a mentor, as an ad hoc and the game.
Joe Root greets Graham Thorpe after reaching his century (Ben Whitley / PA)
“It was really great to see the amount of love for him and his family.”
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The rapids of India had found a wonderful rhythm before time intervened and would probably have liked to try to finish the work while the atmosphere was with them.
A night break and additional use of the heavy roller could play in the hands of England, but a saturated external field meant that tourists did not complain about the decision of the referees.
“We can see that it’s quite wet there,” said Bowling Morkel Bowling coach.
“In a way that is out of our control, so that we cannot focus on making a good warm -up in the morning, prepare the boys to put the ball in the right area and start a little excitement.”
