London: The fourth and final Test between England and India was abandoned as a draw after rain prevented any play on the fifth day here at The Oval on Monday.

As the rain continued to pour down, the umpires decided to put the players and spectators out of their misery shortly after 12:00 hours GMT in what was the latest finish to a Test campaign in England.

A draw meant the series also finished level at 1-1, leaving India still searching for its first Test series victory outside the sub-continent in 16 years since a 2-0 triumph in England in 1986.

England was due to resume on 114 without loss, a lead of 121, after India had made 508 in reply to the hosts' first innings 517.

Marcus Trescothick was 58 not out and Michael Vaughan 47 not out. Even if the weather had not intervened, a draw was still the most likely outcome. Another consequence of the rain was that it stopped Vaughan's bid to become the first player to make five Test hundreds in an English season.

Earlier, Rahul Dravid's third successive Test hundred was at the cornerstone of India's reply.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Dravid gets double ton: Test heads to draw