The Ashes LIVE: Result and reaction from England vs Australia as Stuart Broad enjoys fairytale retirement
England win the final Test by 49 runs to draw the Ashes as Broad, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes take key wickets on day five at the Oval
Stuart Broad produced a fairytale finish to his career as he took the final two wickets to give England cricket victory over Australia cricket by 49 runs in the fifth Test and snatch an Ashes series draw.
The 603rd and 604th scalps of Broad’s Test career ensured Ben Stokes’ side levelled the series at 2-2 with Australia all out for 334 to end a thrilling series in style.
Broad, who announced during the Test that he will retire from cricket after the series, left the field alongside Moeen Ali, who is also expected to retire from red-ball cricket following this match, to a standing ovation from the Oval crowd
Follow the result and reaction from a thrilling day five at the Oval below.
Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)
How will those ageing legs in the England attack cope in what could well be a four hour session? Stuart Broad leads his side out, ready for one last dance.
Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)
Ben Stokes is also warming up, having had a bowl before play this morning, too, trundling in off his full run and testing out that injured knee.
Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)
Joe Root is having an extended bowl ahead of the resumption with Jeetan Patel, England’s spin bowling coach - there was turn for Moeen before the rain brought us to a halt.
4.20pm restart: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)
Assuming things do remain dry, that pretty much guarantees a winner - Australia need 146 runs more to seal a series win, and England seven wickets to snatch a draw, with a new ball available in 14 overs. We’ve got a final session shootout on our hands.
4.20pm restart: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)
The sun is peaking through the clouds at the Oval for the first time all day. 52 scheduled overs left tonight, with the final hour commencing after 37 overs or at 6pm - whichever is later.
Inspection at 4pm
The rain never really got particularly heavy, so you would hope that we’ll be able to reasonably promptly if the umpires declare the pitch fit for action. We should get more than 40 overs in this evening with tea taken early, keeping all four results in play.
Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)
Provided there is no further rain, the officials will inspect the pitch at 4pm.
Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)
The covers are starting to come off at the Oval.
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