England are bidding to level the series and deny Australia their first Ashes victory overseas for more than 20 years, as the fifth and final Test begins at The Oval today.
Australia may have already secured the ultimate prize and retained the urn after the rained-out draw in Manchester put them 2-1 ahead and ensured they could not lose the series, but there is still plenty to play for. As England captain Ben Stokes put it this week: “I think 2-2 sounds a lot better than 3-1.”
Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have opted for the same England XI which dominated the fourth Test before the weather scuppered their chances of victory, keeping faith with legendary bowler James Anderson despite his wavering form. For Pat Cummins, this is a chance to become the first Australian captain since Mark Waugh in 2001 to win an Ashes series in England, after defeats in 2005, 2009, 2013 and 2015, and a draw four years ago.
Follow the score and all the latest updates from the Oval below.
Ashes LIVE: England vs Australia, fifth Test
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STUMPS: AUSTRALIA 61/1 (trail by 222)
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OUT! David Warner c Crawley b Woakes 24, Australia 49/1 (16.5)
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END OF INNINGS: England 283 all out
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OUT! Stuart Broad c Head b Starc 7, England 270/9 (52.5)
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TEA: ENGLAND 250/7 (50)
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OUT! Harry Brook c Smith b Starc 85, England 212/7 (42.3)
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OUT! Jonny Bairstow b Hazlewood 4, England 208/6 (42)
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OUT! Ben Stokes b Starc 3 (16b 0x4 0x6), England 193/5 (38.3)
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OUT! Moeen Ali b Murphy 34, England 184/4 (33.3)
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LUNCH: ENGLAND 131/3 (26)
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OUT! Joe Root b Hazlewood 5, England 73/3 (15.3)
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OUT! Zak Crawley c Smith b Cummins 22, England 66/2 (12.4)
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OUT! Ben Duckett c †Carey b Marsh 41, England 62/1 (12)
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Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first
Dropped catches can’t stop momentum swinging to Australia in Ashes finale
19:01 , Sonia Twigg at the Oval
For the first time since the Lord’s Test match, the momentum swung in favour of Australia as they dominated throughout the opening day of the final Ashes Test, finishing 61-1 in reply to England’s 283 at the Oval.
The overcast and muggy conditions should have been conducive for England’s four seamers, and the team have consistently backed themselves to take 20 wickets in a match, but on the first day in south London they struggled to find the wicket-taking delivery and make the required breakthroughs.
Despite five dropped catches in the field, Australia did create enough chances to bowl England out and, but for Harry Brook’s 85, it could have been much worse for the hosts.
Ultimately, England’s innings on the first day of the final Ashes Test match epitomised the two sides of their Bazball brand of cricket.
Dropped catches can’t stop momentum swinging to Australia in Ashes finale
And Harry Brook also has a post-day one chat
18:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“I think we’ve had a good day there, in the end. We were speaking about 250 being a good score around lunchtime, so to end up getting 280 we were pretty happy with.
“They are so persistent in their lengths, especially Pat Cummins. I felt like I got battered on the inner thigh pad all day. It felt like they were bowling really well. The way we are playing, we are always going to try to take them off their lengths. It’s challenging but it’s those little risks you’ve got to take. As soon as the pitch is seaming a little bit like that, it always feels a bit quicker.
“I felt last week that because the ball was so soft when I came in it was hard to score. I know it looks like madness when we’re out there, but we’ve always had moments where we’ve had to rein it in and soak up the pressure. But we don’t tend to take long to put the pressure back on them.”
Todd Murphy reflects on Australia’s day with Sky Sports
18:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“I think winning the toss and bowling, the first objective is always trying to bowl them out. We managed to do that – we created a lot of chances, and it would have been nice to hold on to all of them, but to be 61/1 at the end, it’s nice.
“I think as a spinner and as a cricketer, you just want to get into the game and be involved in it. It was nice to get in there nice and early today and contribute a little bit.
“When they are playing the cricket they are, it comes back to one day cricket where you have to mix and match a little bit, be brave at times. You want them to try and come at you on your terms. Looking forward, hopefully we can have a really good day with the bat tomorrow and put a bit of time into the wicket and then I’ll come into the game again on day three.”
STUMPS: Australia 61/1 (trail by 222)
18:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Just about Australia’s day, on balance, not made to pay for their profligacy in the field as England lost wickets in clusters having been asked to bat. A total of 283 looked about par on an Oval surface offering just enough to the bowlers throughout, though David Warner and Usman Khawaja’s steady and solid start to Australia’s innings suggests the pitch it may be settling a little. Warner fell to Chris Woakes late on but Khawaja remains, ready to go again in the morning with Marnus Labuschagne as Australia look to secure a series win.
Moeen Ali’s injury will leave England fretting overnight – the off-spinner did not take the field this evening after tweaking his groin while batting.
STUMPS: AUSTRALIA 61/1 (trail by 222)
18:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia 61/1 (24), Usman Khawaja 26, Marnus Labuschagne 2, Stuart Broad 0-13 (8) (trail by 222)
18:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hoop back in to the right hander for Stuart Broad, with Ben Stokes calling over a second leg slip to join him catching around the corner after Marnus Labuschagne’s thigh pad earns Australia four leg byes. Stokes keeps Marnus Labuschagne waiting for the day’s conclusion, requesting a third check of the ball, with the umpires unsurprisingly satisfied it remains in shape. Labuschagne lets the last ball of the day through to Jonny Bairstow.
Australia 57/1 (24), Usman Khawaja 26, Marnus Labuschagne 2, James Anderson 0-21 (7) (trail by 226)
18:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
One more for James Anderson tonight, the England seamer 41 on Sunday and perhaps, finally, starting to show his age in this series. There hasn’t been too much obviously wrong with his action, but a couple of unfriendly pitches and a little bit of reduced zip means there’s been an appreciable drop-off in his returns. While Anderson dismissed talk of his retirement this week, there’s every chance this could be his last Test, with a tour to India the only winter business for England and next summer seemingly ideally structured to bed in a new attack with less fearsome fores, at least on paper, due to tour.
While the wickets haven’t been there, Anderson remains wonderfully skilful, getting the Dukes to move both ways off the surface and keep Usman Khawaja guessing, twice beating the batter and slamming into his pads. Another maiden.
Australia 57/1 (23), Usman Khawaja 26, Marnus Labuschagne 2, Stuart Broad 0-13 (7) (trail by 226)
18:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The close draws ever nearer as Australia sedately saunter towards stumps. A single apiece for the batters in Stuart Broad’s over. Moeen Ali yawns in the England dressing room.
Australia 55/1 (22), Usman Khawaja 25, Marnus Labuschagne 1, James Anderson 0-21 (6) (trail by 228)
18:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
At last, Australia are moving again, Marnus Labuschagne off the mark from his 12th ball with a help around the corner. Usman Khawaja drives beautifully through the covers to get his counter back ticking over with Anderson’s outswinger a little bit floaty.
Australia 50/1 (21), Usman Khawaja 21, Marnus Labuschagne 0, Stuart Broad 0-11 (6) (trail by 233)
18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And Murphy does indeed have his whites on, ready if required.
Usman Khawaja loses patience, driving airily as Stuart Broad pushes one up fuller. A little bit too much late movement of the surface beats the edge. Broad’s back with a maiden.
Australia 50/1 (20), Usman Khawaja 21, Marnus Labuschagne 0, James Anderson 0-16 (5) (trail by 233)
18:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Twenty minutes until stumps, so we’re right in nightwatch territory if Australia lose another. Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon have fulfilled that brief in the past, but neither are playing here, of course – Todd Murphy has looked pretty organised in his firs few hits in Test cricket so might be the likeliest lower order candidate.
Six more dots. Stuart Broad takes over at the other end.
Australia 50/1 (19), Usman Khawaja 21, Marnus Labuschagne 0, Chris Woakes 1-8 (5) (trail by 233)
18:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Joel Wilson once more retrieves the rings from his pocket with Chris Woakes unhappy with the state of this ball, but the umpire is happy again, tossing it back to the bowler and asking him to continue. After 19 balls without a run off the bat, Woakes asks if Usman Khawaja fancies a drive, throwing up a half-volley just about within reaching distance. Khawaja declines.
James Anderson returns at the other end.
Australia 50/1 (18), Usman Khawaja 21, Marnus Labuschagne 0, Mark Wood 0-10 (5) (trail by 233)
18:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Marnus Labuschagne’s judgement outside off stump was much better at Old Trafford, and his first shouldering of arms against Mark Wood is a tight, but correct, call to leave.
Australia 49/1 (17), Usman Khawaja 21, Marnus Labuschagne 0, Chris Woakes 1-8 (4) (traill by 234)
17:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A wicket maiden from Chris Woakes, again delivering just when England needed him. Mark Wood might have been taken off had David Warner made it through that over unscathed but with a new man in will get one more.
OUT! David Warner c Crawley b Woakes 24 (52b 3×4 0x6), Australia 49/1 (16.5)
17:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Brilliantly taken at second slip by Zak Crawley!
A much-needed breakthrough for England, David Warner once again doing the hard work but unable to make his start count. It’s wider from Chris Woakes and back of a length, but not wide enough to go at it full-bore, prompting a bit of an indeterminate prod from the left-hander, neither defending nor attacking. His thick edge is superbly caught by Crawley, diving in front of Joe Root to his right.
Australia 49/0 (16), Usman Khawaja 21, David Warner 24, Mark Wood 0-10 (4) (trail by 234)
17:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The crowd give Mark Wood the big build-up, an anticipatory clamour building to crescendo as Mark Wood leaps in his delivery stride. David Warner blocks out the noise, and a couple on his pads.
A sharp bouncer is evaded, before Warner gets up the other end with a flick to long leg. Steady as she goes from Australia’s openers, sailing through largely calm waters. That might be Wood’s last, though Moeen Ali’s absence could complicate things for Ben Stokes. Joe Root did bowl well on the fourth afternoon at Old Trafford before the rain came, though.
Australia 48/0 (15), Usman Khawaja 21, David Warner 23, Chris Woakes 0-8 (3) (trail by 235)
17:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Usman Khawaja drives attractively to long-off for another boundary, the timing pure as Chris Woakes overpitches. Ben Stokes requests an inspection of the ball, but it slips through the rings cleanly enough. Not much happening for England.
Australia 44/0 (14), Usman Khawaja 17, David Warner 23, Mark Wood 0-9 (3) (trail by 239)
17:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A little bit too full from Mark Wood outside off stump, allowing David Warner to lean on a drive and turn for two.
Edged, but somehow it lands short of Jonny Bairstow! Can you believe that? Seam up at high pace (89mph) from Wood and a genuine nick as Warner holds the line of off-stump, but it dies on the keeper and hits the gloves on the half-volley. Extraordinary!
Australia 42/0 (13), Usman Khawaja 17, David Warner 21, Chris Woakes 0-4 (2) (trail by 241)
17:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Nothing adventurous after drinks from Usman Khawaja – Chris Woakes joins ‘em up for a maiden.
Australia 42/0 (12), Usman Khawaja 17, David Warner 21, Mark Wood 0-7 (2) (trail by 241)
17:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Smart running from David Warner, calling immediately and with an urgency that compels Usman Khawaja to charge out of the blocks, the batters twice beating Ben Stokes’s throw home as Warner follows up a couple through the covers with a sharp single.
Moeen Ali has his feet up on the balcony, resting that sore groin. Australia are safely through to the final hour – time for drinks.
Australia 37/0 (11), Usman Khawaja 15, David Warner 18, Chris Woakes 0-4 (1) (trail by 246)
17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Prim and proper thereafter from Woakes, though without too much threat.
Australia 37/0 (10.1), Usman Khawaja 15, David Warner 18, Chris Woakes 0-4 (0.1) (trail by 246)
17:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A double switch for England, with Chris Woakes in to partner Mark Wood having excelled in the fastman’s slipstream so far in this series. Woakes’s first ball is a little too wide, though, allowing Warner to drive on the up through the offside for his third boundary.
Australia 33/0 (10), Usman Khawaja 15, David Warner 14, Mark Wood 0-2 (1) (trail by 250)
17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A gentle 82mph loosener to begin from Wood, but he’s soon up and around 90mph. That extra pace has troubled Usman Khawaja since Wood’s introduction at Headingley, the left-hander’s languid manner perhaps not suited to skiddy high pace, though that drive is agreeable enough, straight of mid-off for a couple.
Australia 31/0 (9), Usman Khawaja 13, David Warner 14, Stuart Broad 0-11 (5) (trail by 252)
17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Contrasting approaches from the Australia batters, staying true to their trusted methods – David Warner advancing when he can, Usman Khawaja hanging back. Just a single from Stuart Broad’s fifth.
Another fruitless first James Anderson spell with the new ball. Mark Wood replaces him.
Australia 30/0 (8), Usman Khawaja 12, David Warner 14, James Anderson 0-16 (4) (trail by 253)
17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It isn’t quite happening for Anderson. Another error in line alows Usman Khawaja to work four off his thigh pad. Australia off to a solid start.
Australia 25/0 (7), Usman Khawaja 7, David Warner 14, Stuart Broad 0-10 (4) (trail by 258)
17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A tuck through the legside for two are the only runs in the over.
Chris Woakes is starting to loosen up. Ben Stokes and James Anderson have an extended chat before England’s senior seamer begins his next.
NOT OUT! Australia 23/0 (6.2), Usman Khawaja 7, David Warner 12, Stuart Broad 0-8 (3.2) (trail by 260)
17:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
An excellent decision from umpire Wilson – clean off the shoulder, which Ben Stokes seemed to be indicating was his initial impression before reluctantly signalling to review.
Australia 23/0 (6.2), Usman Khawaja 7, David Warner 12, Stuart Broad 0-8 (3.2) (trail by 260)
17:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A proper snorter from Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow takes – Joel Wilson turns down England’s appeal. Was it off the arm? Ben Stokes wants to check…
Australia 23/0 (6), Usman Khawaja 7, David Warner 12, James Anderson 0-11 (3) (trail by 260)
17:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Thwack! No such circumspection for Warner against Anderson, latching on to a wide ball and giving it both barrels, blasting a cut to the cover fence in an instant.
Australia 18/0 (5), Usman Khawaja 7, David Warner 7, Stuart Broad 0-8 (3) (trail by 265)
16:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Four slips and a man around the corner as Stuart Broad embarks, Ben Stokes sticking himself in as the legside catcher after Warner’s fine tickle in the last over. David Warner holds firm in defence as Broad varies his release point, jumping wider of the crease for his final ball but Warner’s block into the offside appropriately formed. A sharp single keeps him on strike.
Australia 15/0 (4), Usman Khawaja 7, David Warner 4, James Anderson 0-6 (2) (trail by 268)
16:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Usman Khawaja’s outside edge is beaten twice in three balls, the first not carrying through to Jonny Bairstow but the second very much so, Bairstow shouting a short appeal but finding the rest of the choir silent. Bairstow looks over to his cordon inquisitively – nothing on that, they tell him.
Anderson goes fuller in search of a feather behind, overpitching and allowing Khawaja to drive in a refined manner past the bowler’s right hand.
Australia 11/0 (3), Usman Khawaja 3, David Warner 4, Stuart Broad 0-5 (2) (trail by 272)
16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Stuart Broad strays down the legside, clipping David Warner’s hip for four leg byes. There’s bat on that, though, and a piece Jonny Bairstow’s glove, too. Only a little sliver of fingertip with Bairstow at full stretch to his right.
Australia 3/0 (2), Usman Khawaja 3, David Warner 0, James Anderson 0-2 (1) (trail by 280)
16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England have confirmed that Moeen Ali will not take the field today, with the spinner’s right groin injury being assessed.
James Anderson also appears to have a brace of some kind on his angle, but settles reasonably quickly into rhythm. A typically compact drive from Usman Khawaja through mid-off brings him a couple and ensures Stuart Broad can have a crack at David Warner in the opener’s final Test in England.
Australia 1/0 (1), Usman Khawaja 1, David Warner 0, Stuart Broad 0-1 (1) (trail by 282)
16:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A couple of substitutes out there for England, with Chris Woakes soon to be back out there but Moeen Ali’s absence of more concern.
Woakes returns at the end of Stuart Broad’s over after Usman Khawaja flicks a single to long leg. James Anderson will share the new ball.
Australia 0/0 (0.1), Usman Khawaja 0, David Warner 0, Stuart Broad 0-0 (0.1) (trail by 283)
16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle
David Warner ordinarily faces first in the first innings for Australia, but Usman Khawaja has volunteered for first look at Stuart Broad, who’ll open up.
Broad is instantly up in appeal, beating the inside edge, but the angle from around the wicket is taking the ball down as Khawaja is rapped on the pads.
Australia 0/0 (0), (trail by 283)
16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
This does feel remarkably similar to the fifth Test in 2019, though, England’s approach different on that occasion but able to navigate up to somewhere just short of 300 thanks to some Australian profligacy in the field. Australia’s reply then was 225, if you are wondering.
England are on their way out there. David Warner and Usman Khawaja follow them.
England 283 all out
16:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right around par, you’d say, for England, inserted under slate skies this morning and cobbling together a middling total despite a couple of collapses as wickets fell in clusters. Harry Brook played brilliantly earlier while Mark Wood and Chris Woakes added some useful late runs. A scoring rate north of five an over leaves plenty of time left this evening to try and make inroads into the Australian batting order – but Pat Cummins will recognise his side have the opportunity to get ahead in the game if they can avoid similar stumbles to those that stalled England’s innings.
END OF INNINGS: England 283 all out
16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
OUT! Chris Woakes c Head b Starc 36 (36b 4×4 1×6), England 283 all out (54.4)
16:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Flapped to deep backward square!
Chris Woakes slaps four backward of point but that’s all she wrote for England’s resurgent all-rounder, hurried for pace as he hooks Mitchell Starc. Starc ends with four as Travis Head snaffles another skier.
England 279/9 (54.1), James Anderson 0, Chris Woakes 32, Mitchell Starc 3-78 (14.1)
16:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Launched back over the bowler’s head! In the slot from Mitchell Starc with Chris Woakes reverting to one-day mode, wielding the long handle most effectively.
England 273/9 (54), James Anderson 0, Chris Woakes 26, Todd Murphy 2-22 (6)
16:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Dropped by the bowler! Australia’s cloddish fielding performance continues, Chris Woakes appearing to give Todd Murphy catching practice with a little chip back to the off-spinner, who almost inexplicably fails to grasp it.
Woakes turns down a single as James Anderson sweeps to deep midwicket, before Anderson shows off a reverse version – he can’t beat the third man fielder.
England 270/9 (53), James Anderson 0, Chris Woakes 23, Mitchell Starc 3-72 (14)
16:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Australia think they have James Anderson first ball, Mitchell Starc not quite hitting his yorker but beating the attempted shovel to leg anyway. Joel Wilson says no…umpire’s call on review! Tighter than it looked live, it must be said, with Anderson quite far over towards leg stump – Australia retain that referral and Anderson remains.
OUT! Stuart Broad c Head b Starc 7 (5b 1×4 0x6), England 270/9 (52.5)
16:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That one settles in the hands, though!
Shorter from Mitchell Starc, with Stuart Broad backing away and thus reaching outside off as he throws a bat at the bouncer. Down it comes with snow on it right on top of Travis Head at extra cover, the fielder holding his nerve and the catch.
England 270/8 (52.4), Stuart Broad 7, Chris Woakes 23, Mitchell Starc 2-72 (13.4)
16:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Wide of fly gully! Mitchell Marsh is pushed back from an orthodox gully position to about 20 metres in from the third man boundary, but a Stuart Broad slice is out of reach.
England 263/8 (52), Stuart Broad 1, Chris Woakes 22, Todd Murphy 2-19 (5)
16:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s a good start from Todd Murphy against Stuart Broad, too, sliding one towards the left-hander’s pads from around the wicket. A thick inside edge is fine of the short leg catcher.
OUT! Mark Wood b Murphy 26 (29b 4×4 0x6), England 261/8 (51.3)
16:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
No doubt about that! Todd Murphy skids one past a slogging Mark Wood’s bat!
A punch of the air from the offspinner, hitting a good area and expecting the swipe that comes. Wood plays for extra turn that never seems likely to come, with a bit of bounce perhaps an issue too. Wood turns back to find bails akimbo, his handy little cameo at an end.
England 257/7 (51), Mark Wood 24, Chris Woakes 21, Mitchell Starc 2-65 (13)
16:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Another catch hits the deck! My, oh my, Australia just haven’t been at the races in that regard, Mitchell Marsh standing in for Cameron Green in the gully and watching it into the palms in front of his forehead. But much like David Warner earlier, it wriggles through – that’s four down now for the tourists, three of them reasonably simple.
NOT OUT! England 251/7 (50.2), Mark Wood 24, Chris Woakes 15, Mitchell Starc 2-59 (12.2)
16:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There’s an inside edge! I don’t think Chris Woakes knew that, though, taking his time to mull it over with Mark Wood rather than immediately making the signal. The scratch on UltraEdge grants him a reprieve – it was stone dead otherwise, but that matters not!
England 251/7 (50.2), Mark Wood 24, Chris Woakes 15, Mitchell Starc 2-59 (12.2)
16:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Steve Smith is shadow batting at second slip as Mitchell Starc begins after tea…and Chris Woakes looks to be in bother! Full, straight, and slamming into the knee roll – Woakes reviews with the resigned expression…
England’s leading Ashes stars likely to miss start of The Hundred
15:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England’s men’s Ashes stars will be assessed before a decision is made on their availability for The Hundred, but those who have had heavy workloads are likely to miss the first couple of matches at least.
A congested schedule that has compressed five Tests into less than seven weeks is set to conclude at the Kia Oval on Monday, with the third edition of the 100-ball competition beginning the following day.
Ben Stokes did not feature at all last year and England’s Test captain mentioned in his pre-match press conference he would be going on holiday at the conclusion of the series against Australia.
Longstanding concerns about Stokes’ left knee – he is planning to have “serious conversations” about having an operation as England are not playing another Test until January – means the Northern Superchargers might not see their talismanic all-rounder for the entire four-week campaign.
Such an outcome would be a blow to the tournament that has faced questions over its long-term viability, although the England and Wales Cricket Board has publicly quashed any concerns, while none of the touring Ashes squad will feature this year.
England’s leading Ashes stars likely to miss start of The Hundred
TEA: England 250/7 (50)
15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s still rather gloomy in Kennington, with the clouds never quite lifting to continue a pretty miserable week of high summer weather. The ball continues to do just enough for the bowlers both through the air and off the surface. England will fancy their chances this evening against Australia’s top order a little later.
TEA: England 250/7 (50)
15:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Another strange little session, that, a bit of weariness on both sides perhaps telling as we reach the end of a chaotic, clustered series. England continue to gallop along at five an over but haven’t managed to cash in – Harry Brook was outstanding before chasing a wide one on 85, while Moeen Ali’s injured groin will be a concern. Still, the Oval hasn’t necessarily been a high-scoring ground this summer, with something around 300 probably a decent enough total if England’s tail can continue to frolic.
Sonia Twigg at the Oval
15:50 , Sonia Twigg
Tea: England 250-7. England worked so hard to prevent a complete collapse and rescue the innings with the partnership of 111 runs for the fourth wicket between Brook and Ali, but another small collapse left the home side in trouble.
It was overcast conditions, and the Australian bowlers had done their bit, but both Root and Bairstow inside-edging is not what England would have wanted.
Starc’s delivery that bowled Stokes was a beauty, but otherwise it was a slight case of chasing wide ones for England as they slid from 184 for three to 212 for seven.
Woakes and Wood added useful runs in a manner typical of the fast bowler, with a quick-fire partnership of 328. Wood went into the break on 23 and Woakes on 15.
TEA: ENGLAND 250/7 (50)
15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 250/7 (50), Mark Wood 23, Chris Woakes 15, Todd Murphy 1-13 (4)
15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Four on the legside fence for Mark Wood as he faces up to the off-spinner, which feels overly deferential to a number nine batter. That leaves plenty of room on the offside for Wood to push into, scuttling through for a single to end the session with this useful partnership intact and so far worth 38.
England 247/7 (49), Mark Wood 22, Chris Woakes 14, Pat Cummins 1-66 (13)
15:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A handy little partnership for England, this. Australia spread the field, braced for Mark Wood’s derring-do, but there’s no-one at deep cover to get beneath a sliced drive. The Oval’s practice pitches, which extend all the way across the outfield, do the rest, the ball skipping over the rope.
One more over before tea – Todd Murphy will bowl it.
England 242/7 (48), Mark Wood 17, Chris Woakes 13, Mitchell Marsh 1-43 (8)
15:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Simply sublime! An amble down the track from Chris Woakes and then the most glorious unfurling of the blade’s full face, hitting with the away movement over mid-off. It’s initially signalled a six having appeared to strike the boundary cushion on the full, but the third umpire reviews the footage and rules it just pitched in front. One for the aesthetes.
England 234/7 (47), Mark Wood 16, Chris Woakes 6, Pat Cummins 1-60 (12)
15:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Two fours in the over for Mark Wood, first on the front foot to drive an attempted inswinger through the covers as the Dukes falls silent for Pat Cummins, and then top edging to the right of the fine leg.
The batters get themselves in a muddle as Marnus Labuschagne makes an excellent diving stop at cover, but Labuschagne’s throw evades the striker’s stumps with Wood looking to have been back safely anyway.
England 226/7 (46), Mark Wood 8, Chris Woakes 6, Mitchell Marsh 1-35 (7)
15:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A bit of shape away from the right-hander for Mitchell Marsh, but nothing to particularly threaten Chris Woakes, possessor of a neat technique.
Pat Cummins replaces Mitchell Starc at the other end.
England 224/7 (45), Mark Wood 7, Chris Woakes 5, Mitchell Starc 2-58 (12)
15:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A fifth in the spell for Mitchell Starc, battling on through that injury to his bowling shoulder and his pace still up in the high eighties. Mark Wood can’t get him away with a couple of flashes outside off.
Mitchell Marsh returns for his first bowl since lunch.
England 222/7 (44), Mark Wood 6, Chris Woakes 4, Josh Hazlewood 2-50 (13)
15:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Can England’s Headingley heroes get them out of bother? Mark Wood knows only one gear with bat and ball, cudgelling Josh Hazlewood to the long-on boundary for four, while his great mate shows off his more cultured wares, a cover drive right out of the coaching manual equally effective.
England 213/7 (43), Mark Wood 1, Chris Woakes 0, Mitchell Starc 2-56 (11)
15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England’s nice guys are back together and once again needing to do the job for their side with the bat. Brook had played so, so well but it felt like he just got a little bit stuck there and perhaps felt the pressure starting to build with partners coming and going at the other end.
OUT! Harry Brook c Smith b Starc 85 (91b 11×4 2×6), England 212-7 (42.3)
15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Another falls – and it’s the would-be centurion!
England are collapsing in a heap – four for 28 in this last little period. Harry Brook had looked to be cruising towards a first Ashes ton but can’t resist chasing a wider one from Mitchell Starc a ball after caressing him most magnificently down the ground, a scrambled seam drawing extra bounce and movement away from the right-hander’s flashing bat. Steve Smith snares it at second slip.
OUT! Jonny Bairstow b Hazlewood 4 (14b 0x4 0x6), England 208/6 (42)
15:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Clattering into leg stump off an inside edge!
It’s a familiar mode of dimissal for Jonny Bairstow, often troubled by the nip-backer. More prodigious swing earlier in the over encourages Josh Hazlewood to get it a bit fuller, finding the inward dart he needs as Bairstow drives loosely. The ball takes a healthy chunk out of Bairstow’s blade and thuds into leg stump.
England 203/5 (41), Harry Brook 80, Jonny Bairstow 4, Mitchell Starc 1-51 (10)
14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle
“Catch!” is the cry from behind the stumps as Harry Brook lifts through extra cover, an out-of-control drive guided straight of the fielder.
England 198/5 (40), Harry Brook 76, Jonny Bairstow 1, Josh Hazlewood 1-44 (11)
14:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Big swing for Josh Hazlewood, arcing into Jonny Bairstow’s shin. The inducker is doing too much but shows that the Dukes is still talking.
England 195/5 (39), Harry Brook 75, Jonny Bairstow 1, Mitchell Starc 1-46 (9)
14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Righty ho, Jonny, what do you have as a follow-up to your Manchester bulldozing, the situation rather different here as he strides to the crease with England wobbling a little.
Todd Murphy is done for now – Josh Hazlewood to try and nibble at the top of Bairstow’s stumps.
OUT! Ben Stokes b Starc 3 (16b 0x4 0x6), England 193/5 (38.3)
14:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Cleaned up!
It’s a gem of a ball from Mitchell Starc, leaving off stump on its back. Full, swinging, and nipping further off the surface, an initial leg-stump line eliciting a flick from Ben Stokes, but his closing blade is beaten by the movement. Off peg is appropriately razed – Australia have another.
England 193/4 (38), Harry Brook 74, Ben Stokes 3, Todd Murphy 1-11 (3)
14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
More turn for Todd Murphy in his latest over, twice getting big spin from outside off. Harry Brook trusts his hands and eyes, though, backing away and forcing through cover. That’ll be drinks, with Moeen Ali the only man to fall since lunch.
England 188/4 (37), Harry Brook 71, Ben Stokes 1, Mitchell Starc 1-44 (8)
14:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ben Stokes works through midwicket to open his account, and immediately calls up to the dressing room for a replacement bat, his Gunn & Moore having busted near the splice.
Harry Brook has just been quelled in the last 15 minutes or so, prodding outside off and edging, but late, soft hands ensuring it doesn’t carry to Steve Smith, who takes a sore one on the end of his fingers at second slip.
England 186/4 (35), Harry Brook 70, Ben Stokes 0, Todd Murphy 1-6 (2)
14:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Todd Murphy hasn’t quite managed to get his grip yet, skid rather than spin off the surface with his revs down as he feels his way in, furiously rubbing his hands in the dirt to try and dry his hands. Accurate enough, though, from Murphy.
Mitchell Starc is ready, willing and able to bowl despite that injured left shoulder.
England 185/4 (35), Harry Brook 69, Ben Stokes 0, Pat Cummins 1-52 (11)
14:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A beaut of a ball from Pat Cummins, landing with an impeccable seam and both bouncing and seaming to beat Harry Brook outside off. Not far from flicking the gloves. There’s still enough there for Australia’s bowlers.
England 184/4 (34), Harry Brook 68, Ben Stokes 0, Todd Murphy 1-5 (1)
14:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
That’ll make Todd Murphy feel all the better after a difficult couple of Tests, seemingly untrusted at Headingley and then cast aside before Old Trafford. Nothing much out of the surface for the off-spinner in his first over, but he lands his first three balls to Ben Stokes tidily.
OUT! Moeen Ali b Murphy 34 (47b 3×4 2×6), England 184/4 (33.3)
14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And the change of pace does the trick!
Todd Murphy is into the attack and into the wickets. Moeen Ali swats him through midwicket for four but Murphy adjusts and pushes one fuller, knowing that Moeen is unable to get a stride in. The left-hander has a heave regardless, as well he might, but it slides on with the arm into the top of middle and leg stump.
England 179/3 (33), Harry Brook 67, Moeen Ali 30, Pat Cummins 1-51 (10)
14:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Hooked for six! Moeen takes the short ball on, with ducking and dodging no longer an option. A thick top edge troubles the punters five rows beyond fine leg.
A run-a-ball 100 partnership is brought up as Brook tucks into the legside.
Up goes the periscope! Another bumper from Pat Cummins, and Moeen adjusts on the fly, a late decision to uppercut but mighty effective as he helps it over Alex Carey for a one bounce four.
Cummins turns to Todd Murphy to try and stem the flow.
England 165/3 (32), Harry Brook 65, Moeen Ali 18, Josh Hazlewood 1-41 (10)
14:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
How much longer can Moeen limp on? It’s swing from the hip time, with a fly slip installed in recognition of his approach but flip down to fine leg played calmly enough. Australia’s own wounded warrior makes a sliding save, with Mitchell Starc’s sore slingshot in ensuring Moeen can stagger through for only a single.
England 163/3 (31), Harry Brook 65, Moeen Ali 17, Pat Cummins 1-37 (9)
14:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Harry Brook helps his partner out, first driving Pat Cummins to the cover boundary before producing an irresistable straight drive for four more. A nudge into a legside gap gives Moeen Ali enough time to get through.
Heave-ho! A hobbled Moeen is going to throw a few punches of his own, giving himself room but finding Pat Cummins straying right into his arc outside leg stump. Moeen slogs him over cow corner for six.
The left-hander backs away again but misses with his swipe – though England’s score swells by four regardless as Alex Carey is beaten for more byes.
England 144/3 (30), Harry Brook 56, Moeen Ali 11, Josh Hazlewood 1-40 (9)
14:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A bit of stretching and a painkiller and Moeen will continue, though with reduced mobility by the looks of things. A pat to cover has Moeen searching for a quick single that would have been ambitious even in full fettle – he wisely reconsiders and hopes back into his ground. A bit of a worry for England, that.
England 144/3 (29.5), Harry Brook 56, Moeen Ali 11, Josh Hazlewood 1-40 (8.5)
14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Mitchell Starc has gone off the field after that shoulder twinge, with Michael Neser required to do some sweeping in Starc’s stead. It’s a shame we didn’t get to see Neser in this series, with the Queenslander’s form for Glamorgan outstanding over the last couple of summers.
Harry Brook carves a cut backward of point for four, but there’s a bit of bother for Moeen Ali here – the batter was only trotting through for a single but it appears he might have aggravated a groin issue.
England 139/3 (29), Harry Brook 51, Moeen Ali 11, Pat Cummins 1-22 (8)
13:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Todd Murphy was out doing some bowling at lunch under the watchful, similarly bespectacled eye of Daniel Vettori, Australia’s bowling coach. I don’t think it’ll be too long before we see him this afternoon.
A jaffa! Crikey, that’s good from Pat Cummins, too good for Harry Brook in fact, cut in half like a magician’s assistant. And Brook barbecues himself next ball, his block into the offside swiftly scooped up by the bowler, who’d have had his man win a direct hit. Brook throws his head back in relief as Cummins’s shy flies by.
50 for Harry Brook! England 138/3 (28), Harry Brook 50, Moeen Ali 11, Josh Hazlewood 1-34 (8)
13:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Mitchell Starc has a little bit of strapping on his left shoulder, which is still sore after the bowler fell awkwardly on it at Old Trafford. Starc grimaces after hurling in from the fine leg boundary.
50 up for Harry Brook, dropping and running into the offside to get there from his 44th ball. Seven fours, two sixes – lively stuff from England’s straight-talking starlet.
England 135/3 (27), Harry Brook 48, Moeen Ali 10, Pat Cummins 1-21 (7)
13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Cummins does try to trouble Moeen’s chin, but the England all-rounder twice dodges, first keeping gloves and bat safely out of the way with the bowler’s line too far down the legside, then swaying effectively to watch it past his nose. The seam stands up as it passes him and swings past a diving Alex Carey for four, which are the over’s only runs.
England 131/3 (26.1), Harry Brook 48, Moeen Ali 10, Pat Cummins 1-21 (6.1)
13:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Pat Cummins will have the first post-lunch trundle after an excellent first spell earlier. Two slips and a gully, plus a short leg, giving him the option of a short ball or two at Moeen Ali.
England 131/3 (26)
13:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England do have a platform, then, but will have to be careful not to again career towards a cliff face with three already back in the hut. Australia will feel if they can keep plugging away, the chances will continue to come.
LUNCH: England 131/3 (26)
13:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The third of those three drops has already cost more than 40, Harry Brook anything but babbling and showing his stroke-making ability with typically bumptious flair.
Sonia Twigg at The Oval
13:10 , Sonia Twigg
Lunch: After England’s dominant performance at Old Trafford, it was a more even and measured session on day one of the fifth and final Oval Test match.
England started brightly, and were 62 without loss after an impressive start from Crawley and Duckett, and after a brief flurry of wickets, they went into the break on 131 for three with Brook on 48 from just 41 deliveries, and Ali unbeaten on 10.
Australia’s poor fielding has not been addressed from the last Test and there were three dropped catches, including one off David Warner, to the delight of the crowd.
But Cummins, who had a poor game by his high standards at Old Trafford, found his line and length to claim the wicket of Crawley.
Brook has been likened to former England player Kevin Pietersen, and he showed a glimpse of the talent when he took Starc for 14 off just three deliveries.
LUNCH! ENGLAND 131/3 (26)
13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England 131/3 (24), Harry Brook 48, Moeen Ali 10, Mitchell Marsh 1-33 (6)
13:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
No sign of Todd Murphy just yet, with Mitchell Marsh taking us through to lunch. Harry Brook will fill his belly two short of a half-century, another crisply-struck drive earning him two from the session’s final ball with the game hurtling along, as has been the fashion all series.
England 126/3 (24), Harry Brook 45, Moeen Ali 9, Mitchell Starc 0-38 (7)
13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Violent! Harry Brook eases a lovely drive to the offside boundary before engaging in something more extravagant, front dog cleared and his hands thrashing Mitchell Starc through point with sheer velocity leaving the point sweeper helpless.
Hoicked for six! Brook anticipates Starc’s response is likely to be short, stepping across to winch the attempted bouncer high over fine leg’s head.
England 112/3 (24), Harry Brook 31, Moeen Ali 9, Mitchell Marsh 1-29 (5)
12:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Moeen Ali is biding his time, happy to pat and prod with lunch not far away. Will Pat Cummins give Todd Murphy a look before the interval? Spin hasn’t played a huge role at the Oval so far this summer but the suggestions before the toss were that this track should take some turn.
Mitchell Starc will bowl what is likely to be the penultimate over of the session.
England 110/3 (23), Harry Brook 30, Moeen Ali 8, Mitchell Starc 0-28 (6)
12:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Mitchell Starc puts Brook back in his box, spotting a pugilistic charge down the track and dragging down a bouncer that clonks into the batter’s body.
England 109/3 (22), Harry Brook 30, Moeen Ali 7, Mitchell Marsh 1-28 (4)
12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Tonked! Cor, that’s some shot from Harry Brook, Mitchell Marsh just a little bit short and manhandled over square leg fora maximum a ball after being clouted to the cover fence. Brook is riding his luck but already has five fours and that hoist for six.
England 97/3 (21), Harry Brook 18, Moeen Ali 7, Mitchell Starc 0-27 (5)
12:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Moeen Ali follows along with effortless off-side elegance, driving on the up with sufficient force to prompt a fumble from Usman Khawaja sweeping on the point boundary, the home crowd giving the fielder a bit of stick having turned two into four.
Another edge evades the catchers, that gap between third slip and gully found again by Brook. Khawaja takes a step to his right and Mitchell Marsh his left to try to plug the dyke.
England 87/3 (20), Harry Brook 13, Moeen Ali 3, Josh Hazlewood 1-32 (7)
12:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Harry Brook at last gets that drive away, flaying with loose wrists as Josh Hazlewood’s outswinger curves into his arc.
Pat Cummins takes a breather and tosses the ball Mitchell Starc’s way.
England 83/3 (19), Harry Brook 9, Moeen Ali 3, Pat Cummins 1-21 (6)
12:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Moeen Ali’s method against the short ball at Old Trafford was to duck and dodge, but he gets himself in a tangle trying to drop beneath Pat Cummins’s first bumper of the day, left with no option but to let it slam into a parrying arm.
Testing stuff from Cummins.
England 83/3 (18), Harry Brook 9, Moeen Ali 3, Josh Hazlewood 1-28 (6)
12:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It didn’t feel like Australia were effective in that first hour but to have created five catching opportunities behind the stumps inside 90 minutes will please Pat Cummins, even if three have gone down. And that’s almost another, Harry Brook again foolishly throwing his hands in a yearning drive and rather fortunate to find the cordon cavity with neither Usman Khawaja at third slip bnor Mitchell Marsh in the gully close enough to launch for it.
England 78/3 (17), Harry Brook 5, Moeen Ali 2, Pat Cummins 1-21 (5)
12:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Put down! A third catch of the morning hits the deck, Harry Brook driving brazenly as Pat Cummins throws up a tempter a little bit fully. The nick is fine, and perhaps finer than Alex Carey thinks, the Australia keeper going with one hand when two would have done the trick and shelling it. A rueful shake of the head reveals he feels it should have been taken – perhaps just a little bit too casual from Carey, which is out of character.
England 74/3 (16), Harry Brook 1, Moeen Ali 2, Josh Hazlewood 1-23 (5)
12:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England are threatening to waste that very smooth start, three falling quickly and a smiling Harry Brook into the fray with this new ball still nipping. This Oval surface has played like this for most of the County Championship season, with few really big scores – table-topping Surrey’s charge towards another title has been built on contributions all the way down their obnoxiously deep batting line-up.
Brook gets off the mark with an inside edge to fine leg.
OUT! Joe Root b Hazlewood 5 (11b 1×4 0x6), England 73/3 (15.3)
12:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Chopped on to his timbers!
Australia are right amongst things, Josh Hazlewood brought back into the attack and striking third ball. Joe Root searches for that run down to third man, a shot he plays so well but one that can get him into trouble on pitches with a bit of extra bounce. It’s the movement here, though, that does for him, appreciable jag back in cramping him for room and a bottom edge sounding the death rattle.
England 73/2 (15), Joe Root 5, Moeen Ali 2, Pat Cummins 1-17 (4)
12:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Pat Cummins admitted he’d been off the pace at Old Trafford but this has been a vastly improved spell so far from the Australia captain, nipping one into Joe Root’s thigh pad before getting a bit of lift to beat Root’s attempted dab to third man. Cummins’s fingertip saves three as the bowler takes the energy out of a Root punch down the ground with a dive to his left.
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