Alastair Cook scored a century in his final Test innings for England before international retirement.
The opener was given a lengthy ovation as an overthrow which ran to the boundary gave him the runs he needed to reach three figures.
He hit 147 before being caught behind as England built towards a declaration against India at The Oval.
Cook earlier surpassed Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara to become the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket.
It is Cook's 33rd Test century since making his debut in 2006, and his first since December 2017.
The former captain has scored more runs and made more centuries for England than any other Test player.
He was given a standing ovation on his way out to bat on Monday and his every run was applauded by a near-capacity crowd.
Although his century was brought up in bizarre fashion - a loose shy at the stumps ending up at the boundary rope - it was a special moment for Cook and the crowd, who sang his name as he raised his bat.
His wife Alice, who is due to give birth to the couple's third child any day, and his young daughters Elsie and Isabelle were in south London to witness his fairytale final innings.
Later, in the afternoon session, Joe Root also reached three figures as England seized control of the fifth Test.
Cook revels in warmth from Oval crowd
Everyone in the crowd was on their feet when Cook reached his century
Cook, who started on 46 overnight, may have once doubted his popularity among England fans but there was no mistaking the warmth he was held in at The Oval on Monday.
His every move was applauded. The crowd stood when he came out to bat and again when he reached his half-century with a clip off his hip early in the morning session.
There was near silence as each India bowler ran in to bowl. If Cook felt tense, he did not show it.
He frequently cut spinner Ravindra Jadeja whenever he dropped short, and ran well with captain Root to advance towards three figures.
A failed appeal for a catch at silly point with Cook on 72 was greeted with a sigh of relief by the crowd, before a thick inside edge saw Cook surpass Sangakkara's Test record.
A straight drive for four off Jasprit Bumrah, followed by a single off the hips, took him to 96, the crowd once again getting to their feet, before Jadeja returned to the attack.
Cook rocked back and cut through point for what should have been a single but a wayward throw saw four overthrows added to his total and made him only the fifth batsman in history to score a century in their first and final Test.
He was embraced by Root, before turning and acknowledging the lengthy, warm applause from the crowd.
BBC Test Match Special commentator Daniel Norcross described the response as "like an encore at the theatre" as Cook, the focus of the applause, stood and raised his bat for the final time.
Highest run-scorers in Test history |
|
Tests |
Innings |
Runs |
Average |
Best |
*denotes not out |
S Tendulkar (India) |
200 |
329 |
15,921 |
53.78 |
248* |
R Ponting (Australia) |
168 |
287 |
13,378 |
51.85 |
257 |
J Kallis (South Africa) |
166 |
280 |
13,289 |
55.37 |
224 |
R Dravid (India) |
164 |
286 |
13,288 |
52.31 |
270 |
A Cook (England) |
161 |
291 |
12,472 |
45.35 |
294 |
'An I was there moment' - What they (and you!) said
Test Match Special's Daniel Norcross: "The crowd will all be able to say that they were there."
Former England batter Ebony Rainford-Brent: "An amazing day. I don't think anyone really cares about anything right now other than Alastair Cook. I know I don't."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan expressed his delight for Cook on Twitter
Here's a selection of comments from readers of our live text...
Charles Tilley: "That celebration, can't get over that. Absolutely fantastic! Goosebumps!"
Bowser: "Absolutely superb scenes! What a man. What an absolutely sensational time to be alive. 33rd hundred for the great man!
Tim Carlisle: "I don't feel the slightest bit silly standing to attention in my home office, by myself clapping..."
Sian Culley: "With you in a minute, just composing myself after unexpectedly bursting into tears at Alastair Cook's century."
Benjamin: "Didn't Cook score his Oval ton in 2010 against Pakistan, the potentially career saving one, on overthrows also?"
Cook scored a first-innings fifty and second-innings century in both his first and final Test match - both against India, in Nagpur in 2006 and at The Oval in 2018
How's stat?! - The numbers behind Cook's final innings
- Cook joins Reggie Duff, Bill Ponsford, Greg Chappell and Mohammad Azharuddin as players to score a century on debut and in their final matches
- It is his 15th second-innings century - the most by any batsman in Test cricket
- Cook has scored more runs than any left-handed batsman in Test cricket, after leapfrogging Kumar Sangakkara
- Most centuries in the third innings of a Test (13)
The India players shook hands with Alastair Cook after his dismissal
Cook's career in numbers
- Test appearances - 161
- Innings - 291
- Runs - 12,472
- Average - 45.35
- Centuries - 33
- Half-centuries - 57
- Balls faced - 26,562
- Minutes batted - 37,308
- Highest score - 294 (v India, 2011)