17 Aug 2014

England on top at The Oval

11:56 am on 17 August 2014

Joe Root passed fifty for the fifth time in the series to lift England to 385 for 7 and a commanding lead of 237 runs at stumps on day two of the fifth and final cricket test against India in London.

England cricketer Joe Root

England cricketer Joe Root Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Alastair Cook made 79, Gary Ballance 64 and Jos Buttler 45 as England turned the screw after their four-pronged seam attack dismissed the touring side for 148 on the first day.

Root ended on 92 not out with Chris Jordan on 19 and England will look to add quick runs in the morning before attempting to bowl out India again to clinch the series which they lead 2-1.

"It's great that we have batted all day and given ourselves a good lead," said Ballance.

"There's a bit of seam movement and if you bowl in good areas you can create chances. Hopefully, it will still do that tomorrow.

"Rooty tried to put the bowlers under pressure and he did that very well."

Resuming on 62 for no wicket, England opener Sam Robson fell for 37 in the second over of the day when he misjudged a full straight delivery from Arun Aaron which crashed into his off stump to end a first-wicket stand of 66.

Ballance and Cook played comfortably and accumulated runs steadily with crisp strokes off their legs and the odd well-timed drive.

Cook reached his third fifty in four innings with a square cut for four off Ravichandran Ashwin, confirming his return to form with the bat after a wretched run.

England took lunch on 148 for one but Cook was dropped twice after the interval before pushing at a wide ball from Aaron and being well caught low down by Murali Vijay at first slip to end a second-wicket partnership of 125.

Ballance reached his third fifty in eight tests, to go with three centuries, before prodding a turning delivery from spinner Ravi Ashwin straight to Cheteshwar Pujara at silly mid off.

"I started the season feeling good and I've brought that to the test matches."

"I felt like I was going nicely but then probably played at a ball that I shouldn't have."