Fifth Specsavers Test, The Kia Oval (day three) England 332 & 114-2 (43 overs): Cook 46*, Root 29* India 292 (95 overs): Jadeja 86*, Vihari 56, Moeen 2-50 England lead by 154 runs Scorecard Alastair Cook moved to 46 not out in his final innings as an international cricketer on day three of England's fifth Test against India. The opener, who is set to retire after his 161st Test, took the home side to 114-2 in their second innings, a lead of 154. Cook received a standing ovation when he arrived at the crease and again when he left at the end of the day as he followed up his first-innings 71 with another knock typical of his 12-year Test career. India had earlier been revived by 56 from debutant Hanuma Vihari and a swashbuckling 86 not out by Ravindra Jadeja. Jadeja added 32 for the 10th wicket with last man Jasprit Bumrah as India, who found themselves 160-6 on Saturday, got up to 292 all out. That left England 40 runs ahead and precariously placed, but Cook's 125-ball stay ensured there would be no top-order panic to allow the tourists to continue their revival. He was joined by his successor as captain, Joe Root, who moved fluently to 29 not out by the close. England already have an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series. Cook's last stand Cook will end his career with more caps, runs, hundreds and catches than any other England player. In this last hurrah, just as he did on Friday, the left-hander exhibited all of his trademarks in front of a crowd that held its breath for fear that each ball could be his last. Cook left carefully and defended solidly. In one Mohammed Shami over, he prodded nervously as the ball went past the edge three times. By then, he had already been the subject of a wasted review for lbw from the spin of Jadeja. When he scored, it was in time-honoured fashion; almost exclusively with nudges and clips off the pads, with one handsome straight drive thrown in. Before this match, Cook averaged 18 in 2018. He described retiring as a weight off his shoulders and his first-innings effort was only his second half-century of the year. Now, the Essex man is just four runs away from passing 50 for the 90th time in his Test career. And when he left on Sunday evening, waving his bat to a crowd on their feet for him for the fifth time in the match, the prospect of a send-off 33rd century was still in the offing. Test bubbles in the background Five of Jennings' nine dismissals this series have been lbw or bowled. Against balls from the seamers which would have hit the stumps, he has averaged 1.33. Source: Cricviz While all eyes have been on Cook, this Test has ebbed and flowed like the rest of the series. England are chasing a 4-1 scoreline that would be harsh on the tourists, India are looking for the second win that their performances have deserved. Just as Jos Buttler guided the England lower order on day two, Jadeja dragged India from a wretched position and left the hosts with only a moderate advantage. Following up on the reversed momentum, the India bowlers made England work hard for every run. Each time that England looked like establishing a partnership, India struck. Keaton Jennings was out shouldering arms for the second successive Test, misjudging a Shami inswinger that hit the off bail. Moeen Ali again played as if intent on capitalising on the chance to bat at number three but he did survive a chance when he was dropped at second slip by KL Rahul. His dismissal came when he tried to be more expansive - bowled when driving loosely at a turning deliver from Jadeja. Cook and Root ultimately left the hosts in the stronger position, but a familiar clatter of England wickets would give India renewed hope. England halted by swashbuckling Jadeja Jadeja sat out the first four Tests of this series, but after being preferred to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, took four wickets with his left-arm spin in England's first innings. Resuming on eight with India 174-6, Jadeja and partner Vihari had to be both watchful and fortunate to get through the opening spells of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Vihari, who could have been lbw on nought on Saturday, played nicely through the off side but, after he edged behind off Moeen and Ishant Sharma fell in similar fashion, Shami holed out off Adil Rashid. When the ninth wicket fell, Jadeja had cut and edged his way to 56 and would have had no chance to add to that had Jennings taken a relatively straightforward chance at silly point from Bumrah's first ball. Instead, as England dropped the field, Jadeja both farmed the strike and cut loose - Anderson was sent back over his head for a magnificent straight six. When required, Bumrah defended bravely. With Jadeja flaying the ball to all parts, England became ragged and their frustration was only ended when Bumrah was run out attempting a very short and probably needless single. England's opening conundrum - analysis by former England captain Michael Vaughan on Test Match Special Keaton Jennings is a concern. I know national selector Ed Smith said he didn't want two new openers for the winter tour to Sri Lanka but sometimes you have to be ruthless. Is Keaton Jennings good enough? Is he getting picked by default because Cook is retiring? He will be under so much pressure in Sri Lanka. Is it worth the risk of playing somebody with baggage? Or should they pick two fresh minds? Look at Jadeja and Vihari in this match - they were fresh and just went out there and hit the ball. Only those inside the dressing room know if Keaton Jennings has got something. I look at his game and he's struggling. I'm erring on the side of picking two fresh players. Our batsmen showed fight - Farbrace<doc-sep>Alastair Cook described his farewell Test as a surreal few days after the England batting stalwart struck a brilliant 147 to join an elite four who have got to a century on debut and last Test. “It’s just been the most surreal four days of my life really,” Cook told a media conference after play on the fourth day of the Test against India at the Oval. “I suppose if she goes into labour tonight, that’ll probably top it off.” Cook’s wife Alice is expecting their third child and he could even miss the last day’s play if she goes into labour. The former skipper said having family members and a huge number of friends in the stands and England’s Barmy Army singing his song made it very special. “It’s incredible – because there’s a few of my friends here as well. For that all to happen today, and every reception I’ve had over the last four days, it’s just been incredible.” “It was a different day. From a purely selfish point of view, I couldn’t have asked for a better week. But there have been bigger things, in more important games, which have meant more.” Asked about his debut and last Test against India, he said: “It’s strange how it works. There is whatever word you just used. I don’t know who decides all that stuff.” Cook said the farewell brought its own pressure. “It’s been one of those weeks where every reception I’ve got, then not to go and get nought, get out early … it has brought a different kind of pressure. To perform and have a day like that, after 160 other games, it’s a nice way to go.” He reached his century after his single to get to 97 turned into five runs as Jasprit Bumrah’s wild throw went to the boundary. “I remember cutting it for 97 and thinking that’s three more to go. Just as he let it go I thought, ‘hang on a minute - he’s launched that pretty hard’. As soon as I saw Ravi (Jadeja) not anywhere near it I thought ‘hang on a minute… hang on a minute’. Then obviously it erupted. “I actually thought it was four straightaway. I didn’t see Pujara running after it so it could have been quite embarrassing if I started celebrating and he actually stopped it and I was only on 99 or something. It saved me a lot of heartache. “He’s (Bumrah) also caused me a lot of heartache in this series. For him to then give me that little moment there, I’ll thank him for a while.” Despite scoring 218 runs in the Test, Cook is certain it is time to quit. “It absolutely confirms it. This is not just the culmination of three or four low scores, bad games in a Test series. It’s been something that’s been coming for 12-18 months ... It’s always nice people wanting a little bit more than trying to kick you out, and to go on your own terms makes it even better.” “Tomorrow if we can top it off with a win and a 4-1 win over the No 1 side in the world, it would make it even more special.<doc-sep>Fifth Specsavers Test, The Kia Oval (day four) England 332 & 423-8 dec: Cook 147, Root 125, Vihari 3-37 India 292 & 58-3 (18 overs): Rahul 46*, Anderson 2-23 India need another 406 runs to win Scorecard England took complete control of the fifth Test against India on an astonishing fourth day at The Oval in which Alastair Cook signed off with a century and James Anderson equalled the record for Test wickets as a pace bowler. Cook made 147 in his final innings before international retirement and captain Joe Root weighed in with 125 as England declared on 423-8. Anderson then drew level with Australian Glenn McGrath's pace bowling record of 563 Test wickets as India, chasing an improbable 464 for victory, floundered. The tourists, who have already lost the series 3-1, ended the day on 58-3, trailing England by 406 runs. The near-capacity crowd spent much of the day on their feet as Cook and Root with the bat, and then Anderson with the ball, put India under the cosh. It was a historic day all round for Cook, who surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the fifth-highest Test run scorer - and most prolific left-hander - before reaching his 33rd and final Test century. The former captain shared in a huge partnership with his successor Root, putting on 259 runs for the third wicket. Cook was given a standing ovation at the start of the day, then again when he reached three figures, before the entire ground stood to applaud as he left the field after batting for the final time. With India looking mentally exhausted, Anderson made hay in a frenetic evening session, dismissing Shikhar Dhawan and then Cheteshwar Pujara in the space of three balls to move himself within one wicket of passing McGrath outright and becoming the leading fast bowler in Test cricket. India captain Virat Kohli fell for a golden duck to Stuart Broad as the party atmosphere grew in the sun-soaked stands. The crowd chanted Cook's name throughout the final five minutes of the day, and the team applauded the fans as they made their way off the field at the close of play. It was a day filled with 'where were you?' moments - and it has put England within touching distance of an emphatic final-Test victory. Highest run-scorers in Test history Tests Innings Runs Average Best S Tendulkar (India) 200 329 15,921 53.78 248* R Ponting (Australia) 168 287 13,378 51.85 257 J Kallis (South Africa) 166 280 13,289 55.37 224 R Dravid (India) 164 286 13,288 52.31 270 A Cook (England) 161 291 12,472 45.35 294 *denotes not out Cook revels in Oval warmth Cook has not looked fluent at times in this series but, resuming on Monday on 46, he showed flickers of the player who for so long has been the backbone of England's batting. There were clips off the hip and cuts against the spinners, as well as a fine straight drive as he moved through the gears. India lost their lines when bowling to Cook, and their only real chance came when Jasprit Bumrah bowled a sustained spell of short deliveries to try and tempt him into a loose hook. Cook's century came up in farcical fashion - on 96, he pushed and ran for a single, but a poor throw from Bumrah went for four overthrows, and took him to 101. He was embraced by Root and received a second standing ovation of the day - eventually having to ask the crowd for calm so play could resume. His dismissal was almost a shock, caught behind as he tried to cut Hanuma Vihari, the ball after Root had been caught at deep mid-wicket. Each member of the India team shook his hand as he departed to yet another standing ovation, lingering on the boundary rope for an extra second to soak in the applause. Anderson draws level with McGrath Leading wicket-takers in Test cricket Wickets Average Type of bowler Muralitharan (SL) 800 22.72 Spin Warne (Aus) 708 25.41 Spin Kumble (Ind) 619 29.65 Spin McGrath (Aus) 563 21.64 Pace Anderson (Eng) 563 26.85 Pace Much as Cook has done with the bat, Anderson has spearheaded England's bowling both home and away for the past 10 years. Cook and Root's partnership, as well as some late hitting from the middle order, kept India in the field for 112.3 overs, and Anderson was able to exploit their scrambled minds when the tourists came out to bat. Opener Dhawan played around a full delivery and was trapped in front of middle stump before Pujara, who made a century in the last Test, missed an inswinger and was dismissed lbw as well. That brought Kohli, who Anderson has not dismissed in this series despite snaring him several times during the last tour, to the crease. It seemed inevitable that on such a dramatic day India captain Kohli would be the wicket to take Anderson past McGrath's long-standing record. However, Stuart Broad interrupted that storyline. He tempted Kohli into a loose shot to the first ball he faced, and the resulting edge was caught by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to leave India 2-3. The Oval once again got to their feet as they, and England's slip cordon, seemed convinced Anderson had trapped KL Rahul lbw, but a review showed the ball was going over the top of the stumps. Anderson, as much as he strived, could not find the wicket to take him past McGrath's record and add to his tally of 23 wickets in the series so far, and will instead hope to do so on the final day of the match - and series - on Tuesday. A tale of two tons Joe Root had scored just one half-century in the five-Test series before his ton at The Oval If Cook's century was a farewell, then Root's was a welcome return to form ahead of the winter tour to Sri Lanka in November. Prior to today, Root had not made a half-century for eight innings, and his last century came in August 2017 against West Indies. He was given two strokes of fortune.<doc-sep>ENGLAND great Alastair Cook has capped off his final Test in perfect fashion, scoring a century against India that sparked one of the longest standing ovations in recent cricket history. And the ton was brought up in the most bizarre circumstances as England took complete control on Day 4 of the fifth test against India at The Oval. Cook, who’ll retire from all forms of international cricket at the end of the fifth Test against India, signed off in style, scoring his 33rd Test century in his 161st and final match. Cook, who scored 71 in England’s first innings, had already received two standing ovations on Monday before reaching three figures. First he brought up his half-century, securing a Test career average of above 45 in the process. Then, on reaching 76, Cook became fifth highest Test run-scorer of all time, going past Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakarra’s 12,400 to also become the leading left-handed batsman. On 96, Cook played a cut shot against spinner Ravindra Jadeja and rushed through for a single. But a single became five as Jasprit Bumrah’s throw to the non-striker’s end went for four overthrows, taking Cook to 101. England's Alastair Cook was embraced by captain Joe Root as he celebrated his century. Source: AFP The milestone was greeted by a rousing ovation from his home fans. Supporters at The Oval stood for over one minute to show their appreciation for Cook, who was clearly embarrassed by the love shown. During his innings, Cook leapfrogged Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara to become the fifth leading all-time run-scorer in Test history. Former England captain Michael Vaughan said it was a “very special moment”. Cook’s finale comes at the same London ground that Australian great Donald Bradman made a duck at in his final Test innings, denying him a career average of above 100. England already holds an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, but is well placed to widen its victory margin.<doc-sep>
Last updated on .From the section Cricket Alastair Cook said his retirement from international cricket has been an "18-month process" after he ended his Test batting career with a century against India in the fifth Test at The Oval. His 147 helped England set the tourists an unlikely 464 to win, with India closing the fourth day on 58-3. "The timing is right," said Cook. "This has been an 18-month process. "I started noticing things in my game and preparation were missing. That edge isn't there." Cook, speaking to Sky Sports, added: "It doesn't mean you haven't got it sometimes and when it's your day you can still score runs. "But there is definitely something missing, even though this was a great day." Cook scored 71 in the first innings and his contribution looks like giving England a 4-1 series win against the world's number one-ranked side. The left-hander, 33, who has scored more runs and made more centuries for England than any other Test player, announced this would be the last of his 161 Tests before the match. He has since been given numerous standing ovations and Cook, who surpassed Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara to become the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, said: "There was definitely a lump in my throat at the start and I did shed a tear. "I've got 30 friends and family here too. It's just one of those days where you'll forever look back and think, 'wow'. "Ever since I announced my retirement, I hoped to have a good week here but to top it off with a score was just incredible. Sometimes dreams do come true." Highest run-scorers in Test history Tests Innings Runs Average Best S Tendulkar (India) 200 329 15,921 53.78 248* R Ponting (Australia) 168 287 13,378 51.85 257 J Kallis (South Africa) 166 280 13,289 55.37 224 R Dravid (India) 164 286 13,288 52.31 270 A Cook (England) 161 291 12,472 45.35 294 *denotes not out How Cook wrote his fairytale script by Amy Lofthouse, BBC Sport at The Oval Cook was given a standing ovation on his way out to bat on Monday and his every run was applauded by a near-capacity crowd. Although his century was brought up in bizarre fashion - a loose shy at the stumps by Jasprit Bumrah ending up at the boundary rope - it was a special moment for Cook and the crowd, who sang his name as he raised his bat. His wife Alice, who is due to give birth to the couple's third child any day, and his young daughters Elsie and Isabelle, were in south London to witness his fairytale final innings. Cook, who started on 46 overnight, may have once doubted his popularity among England fans but there was no mistaking the warmth he was held in at The Oval on Monday. The crowd stood when he came out to bat and again when he reached his half-century with a clip off his hip early in the morning session. There was near silence as each India bowler ran in to bowl. If Cook felt tense, he did not show it. He frequently cut spinner Ravindra Jadeja whenever he dropped short, and ran well with captain Joe Root to advance towards three figures. A failed appeal for a catch at silly point with Cook on 72 was greeted with a sigh of relief by the crowd, before a thick inside edge saw Cook surpass Sangakkara's Test tally. A straight drive for four off Bumrah, followed by a single off the hips, took him to 96, the crowd once again getting to their feet, before Jadeja returned to the attack. Cook rocked back and cut through point for what should have been a single but a wayward throw saw four overthrows added to his total and made him only the fifth batsman in history to score a century in their first and final Test. He was embraced by Root, before turning and acknowledging the lengthy, warm applause from the crowd. BBC Test Match Special commentator Daniel Norcross described the response as "like an encore at the theatre" as Cook, the focus of the applause, stood and raised his bat for the final time. Everyone in the crowd was on their feet when Cook reached his century What they (and you) said Test Match Special's Daniel Norcross: "The crowd will all be able to say that they were there." Former England batter Ebony Rainford-Brent: "An amazing day.