Draw on the cards at The Oval

Set an improbable 500-run victory target to extend their undefeated sequence to 12 series, England were given a sound start in a bid to save this particular match as openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook progressed to 56 without loss by the close of the fourth day.

Having earned a 319-run advantage on first innings, India declined to enforce the follow-on, thus nullifying England's most likely route to success.