Harry Brook and Joe Root shared a superb partnership of 195 to put England on course to complete a record run chase at tea on the fourth day of the final test against India at The Oval on Sunday.
The touring side, needing victory to level the series, lead by 56 runs with four sessions left, and although Brook was out just before the interval for a brilliant 111, Root remained on 98 to keep England in control with Jacob Bethell on one.
Brook, who survived on 19 when Mohammed Siraj caught him in the deep before stepping back on to the boundary cushion, struck two sixes and 12 fours to reach his 10th test century off 91 balls.
Root provided the perfect foil, continuing his consistent form throughout the series, as the Indian bowlers struggled to get much movement under grey skies.
Once past three figures, Brook launched an all-out attack, hitting Akash Deep for two fours in an over before attempting a third with a wild swing and skying a catch to Siraj.
