Rain leaves final Test on knife edge

London - Harry Brook (right) and Joe Root both hit hundreds before England's series finale against India was left on a knife edge after an Oval downpour cut short yesterday's fourth day.

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England were 339-6 when play was abandoned with the hosts needing a further 35 runs to reach a target of 374 in today's final day.

India, meanwhile, require four wickets to end this thrilling five-match series level at 2-2.

England were faltering at 106-3 following the loss of stand-in captain Ollie Pope.

But the duo of Brook (111) and Root (105) turned the tide with a stand of 195 that left England cruising to a 3-1 series win with more than a day to spare.

But Brook's exit sparked a mini-collapse that saw England lose three wickets for 36 runs, with Root also unable to finish the job.