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 256/3 (71), Travis Head 41, Steve Smith 44, Moeen Ali 0-40 (11) (target 384)
Well then - the umpires miscalculated during the rain delay. There were actually 47 overs left to be bowled when we resumed, rather than the 52 they conveyed to the captains - with five bowled in this session that leaves 42 left.
Australia 256/3 (71), Travis Head 41, Steve Smith 44, Chris Woakes 2-31 (14) (target 384)
This will be a crucial nine overs. If these two can stay together until the new ball is due, Australia will be in control with the runs required down below 100. Less threatening from Chris Woakes in his third over of the spell, with both batter starting to pick up the pace of the pitch again. WinViz makes Australia just about favourites.
Australia 253/3 (70), Travis Head 39, Steve Smith 43, Moeen Ali 0-40 (11) (target 384)
Plenty of turn for Moeen, ragging one out of the rough outside off to strike a lunging Steve Smith on the front pad. But there’s almost too much out of the surface for him from over the wicket - Smith’s stride ensures he’s outside the line but it’s missing leg, too.
Australia 251/3 (69), Travis Head 38, Steve Smith 42, Chris Woakes 2-28 (13) (target 384)
This ball is still jabbering and jumping about, Jonny Bairstow beaten for a bye as it sweves on him late. Chris Woakes beats Travis Head on the angle and then goes searching for t’other one to try and target the left-hander’s pads, but it’s slightly too full, allowing Head to show a full face and drive back down the ground. The Dukes out-kicks a limping Moeen Ali.
Australia 246/3 (68.1), Travis Head 34, Steve Smith 42, Chris Woakes 2-24 (11.1) (target 384)
Yowzer! Steve Smith tries to unfurl another of those booming straight drives, but is beaten by late arc through the air as Chris Woakes gets that outswinger going again.
Australia 246/3 (68), Travis Head 34, Steve Smith 42, Moeen Ali 0-38 (10) (target 384)
The first runs of the session are punched through cover, Travis Head slightly slow to turn for a second but safely back with Ben Duckett’s throw slightly errant. Joe Root then has to chase back to the vacant fine leg boundary from slip as Head’s hip diverts a ball down there, the England fielder judging his slip ‘n slide effort perfectly to save a run. They might all count - Australia are moving again, with eight from Moeen’s first after the interruption.
Australia 238/3 (67), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 40, Chris Woakes 2-24 (12) (target 384)
Australia 238/3 (67), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 40, Chris Woakes 2-24 (12) (target 384)
Sharper swing from Woakes, and a bit of carry, too, hitting the gloves of Jonny Bairstow hard after jagging past Smith’s outside edge. A maiden.
Moeen Ali will have first crack from the other end.
Australia 238/3 (66.1), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 40, Chris Woakes 2-24 (11.1) (target 384)
An obstruction behind the bowler’s arm means we’ll have to wait a little bit longer, Steve Smith making sure everything is to his liking before permitting Woakes to start his run.
A gentle start. An outswinger loops past a leaving batter well wide of off stump.
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