England fast bowler Chris Woakes, on Sunday (September 5), said the record target of 368 runs is a chase-able one at day 5 Oval and backed England batsmen to achieve it and win the fourth Test against India.
Woakes admitted that chasing 291 on day five is a “tough ask”, but is confident that England will be able to chase down the total against Team India, as he feels the pitch at The Oval remains good for batting on Monday (September 6).
At stumps on day four on Sunday, England were at 77 for no loss with Haseeb Hameed (43*) and Rory Burns (31*) in the middle and the all-rounder said the hosts need to put in a lot of hard work and have belief in themselves to win the fourth Test against Team India at The Oval.
Woakes told reporters as reported by PTI on Sunday, “It's been a great Test to be a part of. Obviously, it was on fast forward on day one and two but the last two days have been real hard work of Test cricket. We have spent a lot of time on the field but to be none down at close was quality batting, credit to them. It will be a big day tomorrow.”
The pacer added, “291 on a day five pitch sounds like a tough ask but we got to keep reminding ourselves that this pitch is still good for batting and we can do it if we bat all the way down. We feel it's a good enough wicket to be able to chase that score. We certainly got the belief that we can go in and get to win, a lot of hard work still needs to be done.”
England had successful chase down the highest total 362/9 at home with a thrilling one-wicket win at Headingley, thanks to Ben Stokes' 135* against Australia in the Ashes 2019, and then a stiff 277 against Pakistan in 2020, as Woakes’ 84* won the game for England by three wickets.
The all-rounder said England should draw inspiration from the past experiences when they come back to bat on the final day against Indian at The Oval.
Woakes further explained, “I think we can draw on those experiences, look on what we have done in the past and what we're capable of as a team. It's just a matter of believing and execute.
Hopefully, we can do that tomorrow. This team has done some special things over the last few years in different formats. These are the times where you want to be a part of it on a day five chase and try to do something special as a team; it's a great place to be in.”
The pacer signed off by saying, “Obviously, we all bowled 45+ overs. We had to slam every ball on the pitch to get something. There are a few sore bodies in the dressing room. Hopefully, we'll be able to recover tomorrow. I'm sure it will be fine.”
(With PTI Inputs)
