50 from Woakes and a super 81 by Pope took England to a first innings lead of 99.
When India came out to bat in their second innings, the England bowlers had to watch their lead whittled away as the ball had precious little movement and the pitch was pancake flat.
The only predictions to be made at this time are that, in good weather, so many wickets having fallen - a draw looks impossible.
The downside for England is that they will have to bat last and the Oval pitch always takes spin late in games.
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