LONDON (AP) — Some excellent fielding from Gus Atkinson put England on top before rain stopped play on Day 1 of the fifth and final cricket test against India at The Oval on Thursday.

Fast bowler Atkinson sprinted to gather the ball in his follow through before throwing the wicket down to run out India captain Shubman Gill, who has amassed more than 700 runs in the series, for 21.

When the rain intervened for the second time in the day, India was precariously positioned on 85-3 with Sai Sudharsan 28 not out and Karun Nair unbeaten on nought.

Earlier, stand-in England captain Ollie Pope won the toss and decided to put India into bat.

The home team struck first with the score on 10-0, Atkinson cutting the ball in from outside the off stump to trap Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for 2.

Fellow opener KL Rahul then bottom-edged an attempted cut shot off Chris Woakes onto his off stump to leave India on 38-2.