Stokes defies injury to rally England in draw

Series still alive after hosts fail to see off stubborn Indian resistance

- By DAVID CHARLESWORTH

BEN STOKES' latest injury defying act failed to inspire England as just a second draw of the Bazball era following stubborn India resistance kept the Rothesay series alive.

A troublesome left leg and a fresh problem in his right shoulder failed to deter Stokes, who snared KL Rahul for 90 on the last morning of the fourth Test to give England hope of moving into an unassailable 3-1 series lead.

Jofra Archer then dismissed Shubman Gill for 103 on the stroke of lunch but Joe Root dropping Ravindra Jadeja from the next ball proved crucial as he and Washington Sundar batted out the rest of the day.

However, there were farcical scenes at the finish when it became clear there would be no winner as India's batters elected against shaking hands with 15 overs left - the earliest opportunity a draw could be agreed - so both could get their hundreds.

Root and Harry Brook provided buffet bowling to speed things along, with Jadeja getting to his ton first and and Sundar followed to signal the end of proceedings, with India on 424 for four and a lead of 113.

It was unnecessary distraction to what had been a brilliant India rearguard, with England barely acknowledging either century, as the tourists head to the Kia Oval still only trailing 2-1.