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England facing serious challenges in Test chase

Struggling at 50-1, England must overcome a 374-run target after day three at the Oval.

August 2, 2025 at 06:37 PM

England suffer late Zak Crawley blow in chase of 374 to win fifth Test and India series

England struggle in their pursuit of a 374-run target after a challenging third day.

England face major setback in chase for fifth Test victory

England's hopes of winning the fifth Test and the series against India took a hit at the Oval. After a challenging day of dropped catches and aggressive batting from India, they ended the third day at 50 runs for 1 wicket, needing 324 runs more. The day was largely defined by Yashasvi Jaiswal's impressive innings of 118 and a remarkable partnership with nightwatchman Akash Deep, who scored 66. England's bowling unit was under pressure, having missed key catches and with injuries affecting their line-up, particularly Chris Woakes and Ben Duckett. The team faces the daunting task of chasing down a target that is significantly greater than the one they successfully achieved earlier in the series.

Key Takeaways

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England needs to score 324 runs to win the fifth Test.

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Injury concerns for key players may hinder England's chances.

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Jaiswal's century showcases his dominance under pressure.

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Dropped catches have significantly affected England's performance.

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India's bowling attack is firing on all cylinders.

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The psychological impact of previous results could haunt England.

"England's attack was running on fumes by the end."

This highlights the exhaustion of the team under pressure from India's batting.

"Jaiswal was afforded two lives but capitalized brilliantly."

This emphasizes the importance of capitalizing on second chances in cricket.

"The psychological factor plays a crucial role in sports."

This reflects on how mental state can influence performance in high-stakes matches.

"England must overcome significant mental hurdles moving forward."

This speaks to the challenges England faces in regaining their former confidence.

The psychological factor plays a crucial role in sports, and England's situation is dire. A combination of injuries and missed opportunities has turned what once seemed a manageable target into a formidable challenge. With Siraj's precision bowling and India's well-rounded performance, England must overcome significant mental hurdles. Despite a strong start to the series, confidence may be dwindling, posing risks for their performance moving forward.