England crush India to win fifth test and series
England’s bowlers destroyed India’s batting order once again, dismissing the tourists for 94 to seal a 3-1 series victory on day three of the fifth cricket test at the Oval on Sunday.
Chris Jordan and James Anderson spearheaded England’s attack as the hosts thrashed India by an innings and 244 runs.
India resumed the second session on 9-2 and 50 minutes later than scheduled due to a rain delay.
Cheteshwar Pujara edged Anderson behind to Jos Buttler for 11, adding to his earlier lbw wicket of Murali Vijay before the interval.
A brilliant catch from Gary Ballance, diving across from third slip to grasp a thin low edge with one hand, saw Ajinkya Rahane (4) fall to Stuart Broad, before Chris Woakes removed India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for a duck. Woakes had earlier run out Gautam Gambhir from mid-on.
Jordan was then introduced into the bowling attack and propelled England to victory. He dismissed Virat Kohli (20) with a delivery that swung late and got a nick to England captain Alastair Cook at first slip. Ravichandran Ashwin (7) followed with Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4), both catches taken by Ian Bell.
Varun Aaron was then run out when Moeen Ali and Buttler combined before Jordan’s bouncer could only be fended skywards by Ishant Sharma and Ali was underneath to take the catch and seal victory for England.
Joe Root started the day by making an unbeaten 149 as England added 101 runs in 11.3 overs as they were bowled out for a commanding 486, a score that India could not get close to in two innings.
The series victory completes a remarkable turnaround for England, which trailed the series 1-0 after defeat in the second test at Lord’s amid questions about Alastair Cook’s future as a batsman and captain. For India, it is the second time in as many tests they have been beaten in three days.
