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
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Your support makes all the difference.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 236/3 (64), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 38, Moeen Ali 0-32 (8) (target 384)
A similar ball to the one he left alone earlier is this time worked around the corner by Smith, the ball trickling away to the vacant fine leg fence. Ben Stokes installs himself at leg slip, with Smith adjusting his stroke, playing with a straighter bat into a legside gap to nick the strike.
Australia 231/3 (63), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 33, Mark Wood 1-33 (8) (target 384)
There’s no mid-off in place with Mark Wood’s intended length in this spell nearer his toes than the batters’, meaning Steve Smith has the freedom of London as Wood offers him a gentle (by his standards) half-volley. A slip in his delivery stride for Wood, who just looks a little enervated.
Australia 225/3 (62), Travis Head 30, Steve Smith 28, Moeen Ali 0-27 (6) (target 384)
More grip for Moeen, who looks to be driving through his action better today, hauling through that injured right groin. Steve Smith hides bat behind pad slightly as he gets a stride in, a classical approach to countering an off-spinner, with Moeen again inquiring as to whether a shot was played. Joel Wilson sides with the batter this time, meaning England do not enter an LBW plea.
Australia 223/3 (61), Travis Head 29, Steve Smith 27, Mark Wood 1-27 (7) (target 384)
Mark Wood’s back for a few bumpers before lunch, the interval still 20 minutes or so away after that delayed start earlier. Head is instantly flinching, flapping his first ball down to fine leg for a single but handling the chin music more effectively when he gets back on strike later in the over. Wood’s definitely not at full tilt - 84mph, or so, with an apparent issue with his heel the prevailing whisper from the ground.
Australia 221/3 (60), Travis Head 28, Steve Smith 26, Moeen Ali 0-25 (6) (target 384)
And that’ll be the 50 partnership, brought up by Steve Smith’s drive through extra cover, the batter untethering the arms to collect four from a floaty loosener from Moeen Ali.
A bit of bite out of the surface for Moeen later in the over, Smith inside edging before electing to truncate a flick as an off-break leaps up towards his thigh pad. Smith is unhappy as Joel Wilson strips Australia of two leg byes, ruling that the batter hadn’t played a definite shot - which is probably a fair call.
Australia 215/3 (59), Travis Head 27, Steve Smith 21, Stuart Broad 0-40 (14) (target 384)
Travis Head is working up to full fluency. Stuart Broad tries a leg-stump line but it’s much too full, Head lancing long leg with a lofted larrup. Five fours already for the leftie - and it looks like we’ll get our first sighting of spin on this final day, with Moeen Ali removing his jumper.
Australia 211/3 (58), Travis Head 23, Steve Smith 21, James Anderson 0-53 (14) (target 384)
A fine bit of fielding from Mark Wood, cooling his heels at mid-on but across in haste as Travis Head drives. The damp outfield aids his slide and an outstretched right palm is appropriately placed, keeping the left-hander to just a single.
A misjudgement from Smith, a late call to leave almost his downfall as an Anderson lifter thuds into the splice of a withdrawing bat. Down into the dirt two foot away from his pegs.
Australia 210/3 (57), Travis Head 22, Steve Smith 21, Stuart Broad 0-36 (13) (target 384)
Steve Smith will, conversely, give in to temptation, liking the taste of a moreish Stuart Broad half-volley and leaving Moeen Ali chasing in vain, and pain, from mid-off.
Australia 206/3 (56), Travis Head 22, Steve Smith 17, James Anderson 0-52 (13) (target 384)
Anderson thrice baits the trap, hoping that Head will want to continue tucking in, but the left-hander lets three balls go through to Jonny Bairstow.
Australia 206/3 (55.3), Travis Head 22, Steve Smith 17, James Anderson 0-52 (12.3) (target 384)
And this is the danger that Travis Head can pose, putting away consecutive loose balls from James Anderson, a flick through midwicket and clout through the covers each impeccably timed
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