India vs England, 5th Test: Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow star as England level India series in record chase

Jonny Bairstow both hit hundreds as England continued their resurgence with a record fourth-innings chase to beat India by seven wickets in the Covid-delayed fifth Test at Edgbaston on Tuesday. Set 378 to win, England finished on 378-3, with former captain Root 142 not out and Bairstow 114 not out -- his second hundred of the match after he made 106 in the hosts' first-innings 284. As it happened | ScorecardVictory saw England level this five-match series at 2-2. No England side had previously made more to win in the fourth innings of a Test than 359, when now captain Ben Stokes' brilliant century led them to a thrilling victory over Australia at Headingley three years ago. But that record was overhauled with ease after England's first series under a new leadership duo of Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had seen them chase down seemingly stiff targets of 277, 299 and 296 during a 3-0 whitewash of Test world champions New Zealand.

(AP Photo)England resumed on 259-3, needing just 119 more runs to win. Root was 76 not out overnight and Bairstow unbeaten on 72 after the Yorkshire duo had come together at 109-3, with England having lost three wickets in quick succession either side of tea. But their unbroken stand, built on largely orthodox if hard-hit strokeplay, was eventually worth 269, with England averaging nearly five an over as they reached their target inside 77 overs. Bairstow was quickly into his stride Tuesday, cover-driving a four off Mohammed Shami before striking another resounding boundary down to long-on off Jasprit Bumrah, captaining India in place of the Covid-hit Rohit Sharma.

Both strokes were cheered on their way to the rope by a crowd who, as was the case on the last day of England's wins over New