Chris Woakes, his left arm in a sling and face twisted in pain, could only watch from the non-striker's end as Mohammed Siraj shattered Gus Atkinson's off-stump on Monday morning, sealing a six-run victory for India in the fifth Test at The Oval. The win ended one of the most intense hours of Test cricket ever seen, with England needing 35 runs to chase down 374 but collapsing under a wall of Indian noise.
The series, which seemed to have it all, saved its best for last. A mini-session of gut-wrenching drama made this fifth Test an instant classic. The first Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared with a 2-2 scoreline, a fitting result for a contest that chewed up players over 25 gruelling days. Siraj, the only fast bowler to play all five Tests, was the hero, taking a stunning five-wicket haul to bend the script to his will.
Woakes, who dislocated his shoulder on day one, was a bystander until the fall of Josh Tongue's wicket left 17 runs needed. He walked out to a standing ovation, his left arm hidden under a sleeveless sweater, intending to bat left-handed if necessary. But he did not face a ball during his 16 minutes at the crease, with Atkinson protecting him by scampering singles and a two. One full-blooded heave from Atkinson, tipped over the rope for six by Akash Deep, gave England fans hope, but Siraj delivered the final blow.
India's captain Shubman Gill, who scored a series-best 754 runs, said: 'We never give up.' His side fought back from 2-1 down, and Siraj's 23 wickets in the series equalled Jasprit Bumrah's record for an Indian in England. Harry Brook was named England's player of the series after his 111 on day four, though Ben Stokes, who missed the final Test with injury, might have been a contender had England won.
The match ended with more than 20,000 fans walking out in disbelief, having witnessed a Test that will be remembered for its extraordinary drama. England had been cruising on day four, with centuries from Brook and Joe Root, but Siraj's brilliance turned the tide. The series, dominated by bat with a record 7,187 runs, will be remembered for its thrilling conclusion.
