If the fourth day of this Test was astonishing for its fluctuations and high emotion, the fifth day provided drama that was barely believable.
England’s target of 374 represented their second highest successful chase in Tests and the highest ever on this ground. They began Monday on 339-6, 35 adrift.
Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton were being given a torrid time on Sunday before the weather ended play early. England’s task instantly looked easier on Monday when Overton pulled Krishna’s first ball of the day for four and followed by inside-edging the next delivery past his stumps to the fine-leg fence.
The runs required were down to 27, then the pendulum swung once more.
Smith looked all at sea. He played and missed at his first two balls from Siraj and edged his third. There was a wait to see if Jurel had pouched the catch, but there was no doubt.
Atkinson edged the first ball he faced, inches short of KL Rahul at second slip. India’s fans, comfortably outnumbering the England support, surrounded the ground with noise.
Siraj charged in again. Overton played all around his pad. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena took so long to raise his finger, Overton had completed a run. The England man was so sure the review would save him, he began to mark his guard, only for the replay to show umpire’s call for shaving the leg stump. India were delirious.
Atkinson was unsure whether to farm the strike or trust Josh Tongue. The sky got darker and floodlights took hold. Tongue was given leg before to Krishna, only for the review to show the ball missing leg stump. England still needed 19.
England had added two more when Tongue was bowled by Krishna. There was confusion as to whether Woakes would bat, only for the 36-year-old to appear with his left arm covered by his England sweater.
Woakes ultimately never faced a ball, but his bravery will not be forgotten.
Atkinson’s mighty blow off Siraj was parried over the ropes by Akash Deep and left England with 11 to win. India captain Shubman Gill had the decision over bringing in the field to prevent the single, or to protect the boundary. He chose the latter. Woakes was in obvious pain when he shuffled the bye off the final ball of Siraj’s over.
Atkinson dug out Krishna for two to long-on, at the beginning of the next over. India kept the field back. England took another single. They needed seven when Siraj set off once more.
Atkinson cleared his front leg again, attempting another heave to the leg side, but Siraj’s yorker was pinpoint. He ended with 5-104, his effort every bit as heroic as the lion-hearted Woakes.
