
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow took the attack to India as England closed in on a fourth successive winning run chase under their new Test leadership duo of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. (AFP Photo)

England were 259-3 at stumps on the fourth day of the Covid-delayed fifth Test, needing just a further 119 runs to reach a target of 378 on Tuesday's last day at Edgbaston and so end this five-match series all square at 2-2. (AP Photo)

Former captain Root was 76 not out and Bairstow 72 not out after making 106 -- his third hundred in as many Tests -- in England's first-innings 284. (Reuters Photo)

The Yorkshire duo had added an unbroken 150 in 22 overs on Monday after coming together at 109-3, with England having lost three wickets in quick succession either side of tea. (Reuters Photo)

Alex Lees and Zak Crawley, with a blizzard of boundaries, shared a century opening stand in 19.5 overs -- the fastest in England Test history. But India stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah bowled Crawley, shouldering arms, for 46 with an excellent off-cutter.

Ollie Pope was then out for a duck to the first ball after tea, caught behind off Bumrah, to the raucous delight of India supporters at Edgbaston. (Reuters Photo)

England then suffered a self-inflicted blow when Lees was run out for 56 off just 60 balls when Root called him for a non existent single. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)