As the gripping final Test between England and India heads into Day 5 at The Oval, the use of the heavy roller could be a significant factor in determining the outcome. England, chasing a modest 35 runs with four wickets in hand, ended Day 4 in a dominant position at 339/6, largely aided by a well-timed roll of the pitch.

“The heavy roller could flatten things out just enough”

Noted commentator Harsha Bhogle highlighted England’s smart move, saying:

“𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒚 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒔 𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒍𝒚.”

The roller is expected to be used again on Day 5, which may help reduce variable bounce or seam movement—at least temporarily. With England’s attacking batting style, those 35 runs could be knocked off swiftly if the pitch behaves as expected.

Rules Around the Use of the Heavy Roller

According to ICC guidelines, the batting side’s captain can request the use of the heavy roller for no more than seven minutes before the start of each innings (except the first) and at the start of each day’s play. The rolling must begin no earlier than 30 minutes before play and no later than 10 minutes before the scheduled start.

Joe Root, who hammered his 39th Test ton on Day 4 to take England closer to victory, acknowledged the roller’s impact, stating:

“𝑾𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒂 𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆.”

India Still Hopeful Despite Roller Advantage

India will look to strike quickly with the second new ball due in 3.4 overs, and four wickets left to claim. Bowling coach Morne Morkel appeared confident in the team’s chances, noting that the bowlers were unfazed by the roller advantage.

“𝑾𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆. 𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆’𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕,” 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅.

With Jamie Smith and Jamie Overton at the crease, and the tension of a series-decider in the air, the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 finale is set for a thrilling finish.

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