England reached 5-246 to lead India by 98 runs at tea on day two of the fifth Test at the Oval, but captain Alastair Cook failed to make his first century since last May despite being dropped twice on Saturday.

Resuming after lunch on 56 and with England level with India’s first innings total of 148, Cook reached 65 before edging Varun Aaron behind to Murali Vijay at first slip, only for Vijay to spill the ball from a comfortable height. Aaron was visibly angry at the error.

On 71, a thick edge from Cook off Ravichandran Ashwin went to slips where Ajinkya Rahane got a hand to the ball but could only parry it further away and Cook sneaked a single.

The skipper finally fell on 79, Vijay making amends for his earlier mistake by catching Cook off Aaron and the fast bowler was ecstatic.

Gary Ballance, who had lashed a short delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar over the slips for four to bring up his half century, fell for Ashwin’s first wicket when he found Cheteshwar Pujara at silly point on 64.

Ian Bell went for seven to Ishant Sharma, caught behind by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni from an inswinging delivery before Ashwin struck for the second time, bowling Moeen Ali for 14.

Jos Buttler, unbeaten on 12, was at the crease with Joe Root (11no).

Earlier, Cook’s opening partner Sam Robson could only add four runs to his overnight score before he was beaten for pace and bowled out by Aaron for 37, losing his off stump in the process.

Before the start of the match Cook backed Robson to consolidate his position in the side, after only making one century and one half century in nine innings since his debut in June.

But Robson again failed to post a big score after getting off to a good start and once more showed a vulnerability to deliveries around off stump.

Ballance, the leading run scorer in the series, joined Cook at the crease and they forged a second-wicket partnership that ended up being worth 125 for the second wicket.

England lead the five-match contest 2-1 and need to avoid defeat to win the series.