England is poised to win the series, needing only 35 runs on the final day of the fifth Test at The Oval. India, facing a challenging situation, is looking for a miracle. The pitch conditions and weather forecast are set to be crucial on the last day of play.
Day 4 ended prematurely due to rain, leading to early stumps. Despite sunshine appearing after the rain, play was not resumed, leading to criticism from many cricket enthusiasts and experts, who believed the match could have continued.
As the Test series concludes, weather remains a significant factor. The weather in Kennington has been unpredictable all week, with both cloudy skies and rainfall, making conditions difficult for the players. Both teams are preparing for a potentially tense morning session.
According to BBC Weather, the beginning of Day 5 should be largely dry, with little rain expected and at most light cloud cover, which may be good news for England’s batsmen who struggled on Day 4.
Conditions are predicted to become more overcast around midday, with darker clouds and a 19% possibility of rain. This could significantly affect the game, especially with the second new ball due, potentially providing movement and bounce. India is hoping for overcast weather to benefit their bowlers, particularly to counter the threat of Jamie Smith, who has demonstrated the ability to change gear quickly.
While the likelihood of rain increases in the afternoon, especially after 2 PM local time, the match is not expected to extend beyond the afternoon session. England is in a dominant position, while India continues to hold onto the hope of an unlikely victory.