Oval and out

RUN CHASE LOOKS A BRIDGE TOO FAR EVEN FOR BAZBALLERS

- MIKE WALTERS

ABANDON hope, all ye who enter The Oval draped in the Cross of St George today.

It’s not the hope that kills you - it’s the dropped catches and the last-gasp drama.

Until Mohammed Siraj speared an exquisite yorker through Zak Crawley with what proved the final ball of the day, England dared to dream another outrageous heist was on.

But this now looks like a mission impossible even Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg wouldn't fancy.

England may be leading the series 2-1, but they are also ahead in the race for the golden dunce’s hat, 21-18 in front on dropped catches.

After spilling SIX chances, they found themselves chasing 374 in two days plus 70 minutes after dismissing India for 396 second time round in the fifth and final Rothesay Test.

The Bazballers are 50-1 along the way but must score one run more than the 373-5 they knocked off at Headingley in the opener.