England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett shared a blistering stand in the fifth and deciding Test against India at the Oval on Friday before Akash Deep sparked the latest flare-up in a controversial series.
Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett got England off to a flying start in their first innings of the fourth Test before India ensured both openers fell agonisingly short of centuries.
England and India accused each other of sharp practice after Zak Crawley's conduct at Lord's on Saturday drew an angry reaction from visiting captain Shubman Gill.
Selector Luke Wright said "runs are the currency" as England consider the makeup of their top order ahead of a busy summer that include high-profile Test series against India and Australia.
England finished the second day of the first Test in Multan on a solid 96-1 on Tuesday in reply to Pakistan's mammoth 556 that was boosted by a fiery century from Agha Salman.
Opener Zak Crawley said on Friday that England's young pace attack will face a "test of character" in their upcoming Test series in Pakistan where a pitch baked by searing temperatures and surging smog levels await.
England next return to test action in July against the West Indies, after this year's Twenty20 World Cup.
India claimed five wickets in the morning session of day four to reduce England to 194-6 and stay on course for a series-levelling victory in the second Test on Monday.
England were still 241 behind India at the break with Jonny Bairstow, on 24, and skipper Ben Stokes, on five, batting in Visakhapatnam.
England's unwavering commitment to playing attacking cricket without fear under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendan McCullum was once again vindicated on Thursday when the hosts took control of the fourth Ashes test against Australia.
England were 384-4 at stumps in reply to Australia's first innings 317, a lead of 67 runs in a match they must win to maintain their hopes of regaining the Ashes at 2-1 down with two to play
