“Hopefully He Can Get Us Across the Line”: Root Confirms Woakes’ Grit Despite Injury

With one of the most thrilling Test finishes in recent memory unfolding at The Oval, England stand just 35 runs away from sealing a historic 3-2 series win. As the chase for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy nears its climax, Chris Woakes has emerged as a symbol of resilience and commitment, despite suffering a painful shoulder injury.

Joe Root, speaking after a tense Day 4, confirmed that Woakes—though sidelined from bowling and not having batted yet—is fully prepared to step up for the team if required.

“You probably saw him in his whites in the dressing room. He’s all in, like the rest of us,” said Root. “Clearly, he’s in a huge amount of pain. But it means a huge amount to him… Hopefully he can get us across the line and win an incredible series.”

Woakes' availability could be crucial, with the score at 339/6 and the hosts still needing 35 more to pull off what would be their second-highest successful chase in history—and another statement win under the Bazball regime.

England’s Charge and Stumble

The fourth innings started positively for England, who were chasing 374—an audacious target even by modern standards. The side had previously chased 371 at Headingley in the opening Test, a record-setting performance that demonstrated their fearless approach.

Day 4 saw centuries from both Joe Root (his 39th in Tests) and Harry Brook (his 10th), putting England in a commanding position. Brook’s ton was especially remarkable, making him the fastest to ten Test centuries in over 70 years.

But just when victory seemed certain, the momentum swung dramatically. Brook, after riding his luck with a dropped chance from Siraj before lunch, gifted his wicket to Akash Deep with a mistimed shot. Jacob Bethell followed suit with a rash swipe that rattled his stumps. The pressure mounted.

Root, holding England’s hopes together, fell to a thin edge off Prasidh Krishna in a game-turning wicket maiden. From 301/3, England slipped to 339/6, leaving the door slightly ajar for a sensational finish.

India Storm Back Into the Match

Earlier in the day, the visitors dominated the morning session under overcast skies. Resuming at 50/1, England managed just 37 runs in the first hour as the visiting seamers turned up the heat. Ben Duckett, although reaching his fourth fifty of the series, eventually succumbed to pressure, edging Krishna to the slips for 54.

Ollie Pope tried to counterattack with three elegant boundaries off Krishna, but his fourth-innings struggles continued. A nip-backer from Siraj ended his innings at 27, underlining his drop in performance in second innings compared to his impressive first-innings average.

Despite the slow start, Root and Brook shifted the momentum with elegant strokeplay in the post-lunch session. Brook in particular punished the bowlers after his reprieve, especially targeting Prasidh Krishna with a 16-run over.

Yet cricket has its own script, and the late drama reminded everyone why the format still delivers unmatched tension and excitement.

Final Day Showdown: Can England Hold Nerve?

With only four wickets in hand and 35 runs to get, England will walk into Day 5 knowing they need composure, clarity, and maybe a touch of grit from Chris Woakes if he’s called upon.

As spectators across the globe tune in for the nail-biting finish, fans can stay updated and experience the thrill of every delivery on Betinexch, available at www.betinexchange360.com—your go-to platform for live action, insights, and match dynamics during the Test season.

This isn’t just a match; it’s a battle of resilience, tactics, and temperament. Whether it’s Root’s leadership, Brook’s flair, or Woakes’ warrior spirit, this Test match promises a fitting finale to a captivating series.