The Ashes LIVE: Result and reaction from England vs Australia as Stuart Broad enjoys fairytale retirement

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.

Ashes LIVE: England vs Australia, fifth test

• England beat Australia by 49 runs to win final Test and draw a thrilling Ashes series 2-2

• Stuart Broad takes final two wickets to enjoy fairytale end to his career after announcing his retirement

• CATCH! Jonny Bairstow takes a spectacular catch to remove Mitchell Marsh as England move to brink of victory

• ‘I’ve given my heart and soul’: Stuart Broad will leave behind a golden England legacy

• From hat-trick heroics to Ashes annihilation – Stuart Broad’s best Test displays

England coach Brendon McCullum reflects on a drawn series

19:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“We were saying up there we should just go around again, play all five again. What an amazing series to be a part of. Two incredible cricket teams with contrasting styles, and it lived up to the billing. It was special to be a part of and to walk away at 2-all is a reflection of a great series.

“You come into the series with lofty ambitions of how you want to play, but when you do go 2-0 down, particularly in games where you felt you had opportunities to win, can be quite testing. With the skipper as convinced in his belief and the direction he wants to take this team, and the senior players in this team, we were able to hold the fort. If anything, we got better and better as the series went on. That is probably the most pleasing aspect - to stay true when you are under pressure. In these last few Tests we’ve seen this team grow up and really become accustomed to the type of cricket we want to play.

“As both Pat and Stokesy said, there are many times where you are going to look back and say we could have done things differently. But I don’t think we’d would have been able to come back from 2-0 if we’d had that as our mindset. For us, it was about having total conviction in our methods and not having any regrets about what we did. In the end, it brought about our best cricket. You want to keep looking forward and trying to achieve special things.”

Moeen Ali confirms re-retirement after Ashes

19:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I know I’m done,” Moeen says to Sky, confirming he’s going back into Test retirement after answering his captain’s SOS at the start of the series. “If Stokesy messages me again, I’m going to delete it. I really have enjoyed it and it’s great to finish on a high.”

Australia retain the urn after a 2-2 Ashes series draw

19:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Pat Cummins also has a chat with Sky Sports

19:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“We said from the start we are over here to try and win the Ashes. It’s why we all start playing cricket - unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, but a great day.

“We can be hugely proud of retaining the Ashes. It’s no easy feat against a high quality England side. It’s a similar group to 2019 and it felt like we were just a little short of the goal. But what a great series.

“There were so many moments throughout the series. I think that’s what makes playing an Ashes, especially an away Ashes, so difficult. I’m really proud of how we’ve stuck strong, pretty consistent throughout. There are a couple of moments that you might change which might’ve made a difference, but a great series. There’s no point looking at it. 2-2 is the score.

[on Stuart Broad] “Great competitor. Always seems to save his best for Australia. I think I’ve played a third of the amount of Test matches he’s played and can’t fathom playing that many. I’ve loved playing against him and I wish him all the best.”

Ben Stokes offers his post-series thoughts to Sky Sports

19:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I feel really good. 2-2 at a series like this I think is a fair reflection. Australia are world Test champions and an absolutely quality team. Going 2-0 down after the first two games, I don’t think many teams would have been able to respond in the way we did. Standing here, I’m pretty content about everything we’ve achieved over the last seven weeks.

“Having played a lot of cricket, you know what it is like in the fourth innings chasing. Australia got off to a great start, I thought they played incredibly well. But turning up again and having 250 more runs on the board, it’s always tough. It was do or die again, but we’ve been do or die since the second game. As I’ve said before, if anything that helps our cricket.

“The way in which Woakesy has come in and not only operated in the manner he has with the ball, but also with very crucial runs down in the tail which have been very good for us. Woody has put some unbelievable performances in. Yesterday and today, he could hardly walk. He did an unbelievable job to show that he wasn’t sore and to run in and bowl in the way he did is testament to the warrior inside of him. To have people like that in your team who will just run in and run in is great to have.

“I’ve played with Broady for a long, long time. He’s been an unbelievable performer for England. It was just written in the stars he was going to take that last wicket, wasn’t it?

“Mo came into the team because of an unfortunate injury to Jack Leach. I chose him because I know what he can do on his best days, and when it mattered, Mo produced another of his best days on the field for England. He changed the game for us - for Mo to retire, come back and put in those performances, he’s a great servant to England as well. We’ll let Mo reflect on everything and let him make a decision.”

The player of the match and England’s player of the series is Chris Woakes

18:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Andrew McDonald picks out Chris Woakes as England’s best, the Warwickshire all-rounder having altered the shape of the series in just three Tests.

“It’s been an amazing few games. The belief was there at 2-0 down that we could still go on and win the series, that’s the spirit in the dressing room, but I think 2-2 is fitting, really.

“I’d not been part of this team for more than 12 months so I was just desperate to come in and get a go. I couldn’t have asked for it to have gone much better, really.

“Five Tests with the gruelling schedule, I always felt I might get an opportunity at some point. I just tried to make sure I was ready. I didn’t feel in great rhythm coming into the series, but I got an early wicket [at Headingley] and from that moment on I did find a rhythm. You’ve got to have a bit of luck, of course, and thankfully from then on it went alright.

“Today is probably up there with my best moments in Test cricket. For Broady to go out the way he did was incredible. Today, with this crowd, was amazing.

“It’s not always easy to take big scalps. I think that is the most pleasing thing about this series, I’ve managed to get big players out. This is the pinnacle of cricket, in our opinion, so it’s amazing.”

The Australia player of the series is Mitchell Starc

18:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England coach Brendon McCullum gives Usman Khawaja an honourable mention, but plumps for Mitchell Starc as his player of the series from the opposition.

“Jeez, it’s been an incredible five Test matches,” the series’ leading wicket-taker says. “It’s been exciting with ebbs and flows tonight - the way it finished today spoke to the quality of the cricket and the emotions of the Ashes.

“It’s come down right to the last session on day 25. Congratulations to Stuart on his retirement - I’m not sure he could have written that any better.

“It’s been a fantastic tour to be able to come and express myself the way I’d have liked to. We’ve had a pretty successful tour when you consider the Test final as well. It’s quite a resilient group, Pat’s played six, Josh has played four. It’s been a busy eight weeks for both teams but the quality of cricket throughout has been fantastic.

“Obviously we saw two different brands of cricket. Both teams stuck true to what they wanted to play throughout the series and ultimately it’s 2-all. It’s just great that Test cricket is thriving the way it is and we get the support we do.”

England win fifth Test at the Oval to secure 2-2 Ashes series draw

18:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A marvellous end to a marvellous series, an Ashes that had just about everything. Australia deserve plenty of credit, an away draw never to be sniffed at and the urn again secure in their grasp, but they will be disappointed to have not converted a 2-0 lead into series victory. So many imponderables, but the tenor shifted slightly after the injuries to Nathan Lyon and Ollie Pope, Australia thrown off balance by the loss of their offie and England inserting Chris Woakes and Mark Wood into their side to swing the series back their way.

Stuart Broad reacts after England win fifth Test at the Oval to secure 2-2 Ashes series draw

18:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“It was absolutely wonderful. Coming on after the rain break, Chris Woakes and Moeen set the tone unbelievably. Once we got a couple we really began to believe. It was just so loud out there and we really jumped on the back of the energy of the crowd. To pick up a couple of wickets at the end of this Test match and contribute to the team is something very special.

“I suppose when you make that decision to move on from the game, you wonder what your last ball will be. For it to be a wicket to win an Ashes Test match is pretty cool.”

England win fifth Test at the Oval and secure Ashes series draw

18:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

For a second Ashes on English soil in succession, it ends 2-2 at the Oval - Australia retain the Ashes but that away series victory continue to elude them. A magic final moment for Stuart Broad, but it was the Birmingham boys who did it for England, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali throwing Australia off course just as the visitors looked to be taking control of the run chase.

ASHES SERIES RESULT: ENGLAND 2-2 AUSTRALIA

18:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

OUT! Alex Carey c †Bairstow b Broad 28 (50b 1x4 1x6), AUSTRALIA 334 ALL OUT

18:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A fairytale ending for Stuart Broad - England win the fifth Test and square the series 2-2!

It had to be him! Angle in and seam away from the left-hander as Stuart Broad targets the top of off stump, a familiar end to a quite magnificent career. Alex Carey is the last of Broad’s 604 Test wickets - and the last of this quite incredible Ashes summer.

Broad walks off with Moeen Ali to a standing ovation.

England celebrate Stuart Broad breakthrough

18:25 , Jack Rathborn

Australia 334/9 (94), Josh Hazlewood 4, Alex Carey 28, Moeen Ali 3-76 (23) (target 384)

18:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jonny Bairstow tells Mark Wood to get loose, with England perhaps thinking of going to their quick to finish things off. Josh Hazlewood takes the requirement down to 50 with a punch through cover for four. 19 overs left.

Australia 330/9 (93), Josh Hazlewood 0, Alex Carey 28, Stuart Broad 1-62 (20) (target 384)

18:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It won’t be two in two to close Stuart Broad’s career, Alex Carey working to mid-on and setting off for an optimistic two, aborting halfway through the first run knowing Hazlewood would never have got back.

Dropped! Finally, Zak Crawley has put one down, Stuart Broad drawing the edge of Alex Carey’s bat but second slip unable to take a tough chance low to his right. Off the wrist, leaving Broad with hands on heads.

A maiden. Josh Hazlewood on strike for the start of Moeen Ali’s next over.

Australia 330/9 (92), Josh Hazlewood 0, Alex Carey 28, Moeen Ali 3-72 (22) (target 384)

18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Carey won’t trust Josh Hazlewood - he’ll have to score most of the 55 required. A push to cover leaves Hazlewood two balls to block out as England’s fielders flock to the flame: two slips, a leg slip, and a man under a lid on either side. Hazlewood is secure in defence.

OUT! Todd Murphy c †Bairstow b Broad 18 (39b 3x4 0x6), Australia 329/9 (target 384)

18:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Oval erupts! A fine little cameo from Todd Murphy to keep Australia’s hopes alive but he’s gone!

At last, Broad pecks the edge, switching the bails at the bowler’s end before heading back to his mark. It’s a beauty, too, Murphy trying to block out the over but beaten off the seam - Jonny Bairstow takes low to his left and England are just one wicket away.

Australia 329/8 (90.3), Todd Murphy 18, Alex Carey 27, Stuart Broad 0-62 (18.3) (target 384)

18:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Thumped for four! Todd Murphy can play that shot, that’s for sure, Stuart Broad attempting the bouncer and finding himself thwacked to backward square leg. Broad shrugs his shoulders.

Australia 323/8 (90), Todd Murphy 13, Alex Carey 26, Moeen Ali 3-71 (21) (target 384)

18:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pat Cummins cleans his fingernails on the balcony, his series over. Sumptuous! A marvellous shot from Alex Carey, confidence and skill as he sets forth up the track and check-drives Moeen Ali back over his head for six!

Australia 315/8 (89), Todd Murphy 12, Alex Carey 19, Stuart Broad 0-56 (18) (target 384)

18:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England are happy to give Alex Carey a single, speading the field as Todd Murphy tucks one off his toes to rotate the strike.

Another fevered frog of a ball, hopping away from Murphy’s swing. Too good for the tailender - and too good, in some ways, for England, a delivering moving that far never likely to take the edge.

Australia 313/8 (88), Todd Murphy 11, Alex Carey 18, Moeen Ali 3-63 (20) (target 384)

17:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The leg slip is moved in under Todd Murphy’s nose, the leftie looking through his lenses at a squatting Ben Duckett, waiting for an error in defence. Murphy changes approach, a bit of heave-ho with mid-off up in tight, plinking the aerial stroke but clearing the retreating fielder. Four singles off the over.

Australia 309/8 (87), Todd Murphy 9, Alex Carey 16, Stuart Broad 0-54 (17) (target 384)

17:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Carey caresses Stuart Broad through extra cover, Ben Stokes sprinting after it to ensure it’s only three. This old ball continues to do plenty, Broad finding lavish movement away from Todd Murphy’s bat to beat him twice outside off stump. 75 needed.

Australia 306/8 (86), Todd Murphy 9, Alex Carey 13, Moeen Ali 3-59 (19) (target 384)

17:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How long do England leave it until they take the new ball? There is no rain forecast but the clouds look to be closing in and light might become a problem a little later. A maiden from Moeen to Murphy, left-handed offspinner against left-handed offspinner.

England stun Australia late on day five of fifth Ashes Test

17:49 , Jack Rathborn

A brief pause, the Oval crowd take a breath after what has been one of the most breathtaking hours in the series.

England found life just when Australia’s batting and the weather appeared to spoil the party. Momentum snowballed after Moeen Ali’s breakthrough and the crackle around the Oval made for a hostile greeting for each Australian batter making their way to the middle.

The job is not finished yet, but after much frustration, England can sniff redemption and the consolation of a drawn series.

Australia 306/8 (85), Todd Murphy 9, Alex Carey 13, Stuart Broad 0-51 (16) (target 384)

17:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Beautifully lifted over square leg! He can play a bit, Todd Murphy, on the wander and flipping Stuart Broad away for a one-bounce four.

78 required.

Australia 300/8 (84), Todd Murphy 4, Alex Carey 12, Moeen Ali 3-59 (18) (target 384)

17:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia are past 300, four catchers gathering around Todd Murphy after Alex Carey drives to long-off - two slips, one around the corner, and a conventional short leg. Murphy negotiates Moeen Ali well.

29 overs left, if you were wondering - assuming there are no sudden showers, I think we can probably rule out a draw.

Australia 299/8 (83), Todd Murphy 4, Alex Carey 11, Stuart Broad 0-45 (15) (target 384)

17:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Carey is happy to let Todd Murphy face three balls from Stuart Broad. The first of them is a crackerjack, rearing up off a length and much too good for the tailender, and the second is nicked, but down and away through the gully for four. Murphy’s off the mark.

Ben Stokes celebrates during fifth Ashes Test

17:37 , Jack Rathborn

Australia 294/8 (82), Todd Murphy 0, Alex Carey 10, Moeen Ali 3-58 (17) (target 384)

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Carey declines a single as Todd Murphy pushes to wide mid-off. Did he not see his off-spinner’s first innings antics?

A great ovation at the Oval as Chris Woakes takes leave after a match-turning eight over spell - though the reception is more to do with the identity of the individual replacing him. Stuart Broad, perhaps for the final time.

OUT! Pat Cummins c Stokes b Ali 9 (14b 1x4 0x6) , Australia 294/8 (81.2)

17:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ben Stokes takes the catch...and this time holds on to it!

Skipper snares skipper, Ben Stokes making totally certain by cavorting some twenty metres before hurling for the heavens. Pat Cummins aims a heroic heave to leg at a Moeen Ali drag down but inside edges on to his own thigh, sending it spinning up around the corner into Stokes’s grasp. Postman Pat won’t deliver for Australia - England need two more!

Australia 293/7 (81), Pat Cummins 9, Alex Carey 9, Chris Woakes 4-50 (19) (target 384)

17:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s rather wonderfully set up for a partnership between these two, chief objects of oppobrium from the Lord’s crowd. Cummins has already seen Australia home in a nailbiter once in this series, of course - though that chase was significantly smaller.

91 needed.

Australia 291/7 (80.1), Pat Cummins 8, Alex Carey 8, Chris Woakes 4-48 (18.1) (target 384)

17:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chris Woakes continues for an eighth in this spell...and is delicately eased through the gully by Pat Cummins. Lovely shot. Four runs.

Australia 287/7 (80), Pat Cummins 4, Alex Carey 8, Moeen Ali 2-57 (16) (target 384)

17:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Moeen Ali continues for now, his fourth innings Test career bowling average now below 25. And that’s almost a third wicket of the day, a massive top edge from Alex Carey landing about five feet from Chris Woakes on the long leg boundary.

The new ball is available. Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Joe Root and Moeen gather for a chat - and elect not to take it.

Australia 284/7 (79), Pat Cummins 3, Alex Carey 6, Chris Woakes 4-44 (18) (target 384)

17:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s turned into a fabulous evening in south London, the sun out and shining on England’s chances of a squared series after that collapse of four for eleven. England have done the damage before the new ball was even due - it’s now only an over away with this grand old Dukes still talking for them and Australia’s requirement exactly 100 more.

Australia 282/7 (78), Pat Cummins 2, Alex Carey 6, Moeen Ali 2-54 (15) (target 384)

17:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia added 110 after Pat Cummins arrived in the first innings; they needed one fewer when their captain came out this evening. There’s no Steve Smith this time, though, to partner Cummins, Alex Carey the senior batter having looked out of sorts at the crease since Lord’s. Carey likes a lap sweep, and uses it twice in the over to collect four and then keep the strike.

The Ashes: England given life after Woakes and Bairstow heroics

17:12 , Jack Rathborn

Australia 277/7 (77), Pat Cummins 2, Alex Carey 1, Chris Woakes 4-43 (17) (target 384)

17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chris Woakes is positively charging in, up at 86mph as Pat Cummins is beaten first ball. The Australia captain skews a drive through point to get off the back, bat turning in his hand as his grip on a series victory loosens.

OUT! Mitchell Starc c Crawley b Woakes 0 (2b 0x4 0x6), Australia 275/7 (76.3)

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The Oval roars again!

Chris Woakes has four! Australia are all over the place, Mitchell Starc impetuous in driving second ball having decided attack is the best form of defence and giving Zak Crawley more catching practice in the cordon.

Australia 274/6 (76), MItchell Starc 0, Alex Carey 0, Moeen Ali 2-49 (14) (target 384)

17:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mitchell Starc joins Alex Carey in the middle, the two left-handers each on nought with 110 still required. A wicket maiden from Moeen.

Mitchell Marsh c †Bairstow b Ali 6 (9b 1x4 0x6), Australia 274/6 (75.5)

17:02 , Luke Baker

ANOTHER! A splendid grab from Jonny Bairstow and Mitchell Marsh’s stay is brief!

Australia are collapsing in a heap! Turn and bite again from Moeen Ali, a flick of the inside shoulder of Marsh’s bat on the way up into his body. It loops up towards slip but wouldn’t have carried, meaning Bairstow must stick out a mitt, right arm out like a chameleon’s tongue. England have three in short order - and are into the tail.

OUT! Steve Smith c Crawley b Woakes 54 (94b 9x4 0x6), Australia 274/5 (75)

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A huge, huge wicket!

Chris Woakes strikes again! The Birmingham boys are doing it for England, and it’s more outstanding seam bowling from Woakes, nipping one away off the surface to take Steve Smith’s outside edge. Zak Crawley snares it low at second slip - the two set batters are gone and England are suddenly firm favourites.

Australia 274/4 (74.3), Mitchell Marsh 6, Steve Smith 54, Chris Woakes 2-40 (15.3) (target 384)

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Marsh is the sort of player that could very quickly change the equation in this chase, a run-a-ball 30 or 40 putting England on the back foot. There’s a sense of Steve Smith trying to up his own tempo, too, perhaps wanting to get as many as he can before the new ball comes.

Australia 269/4 (74), Mitchell Marsh 5, Steve Smith 50, Moeen Ali 1-49 (13) (target 384)

16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’ll be lost in Stuart Broad swansong, but there’s every chance this is Moeen Ali’s last day as a Test cricketer, too - he’s soldiering on despite that groin issue and has found plenty of turn in this session. That’s 202 wickets for him now, level with the great Sussex seamer John Snow.

Mitchell Marsh sweeps behind square for four to open his account second ball.

OUT! Travis Head c Root b Ali 43 (70b 6x4 0x6), Australia 264/4 (73.3)

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Massive turn out of the rough stuff and Travis Head is taken at slip!

A lovely bit of bowling from Moeen Ali, giving it some extra flight to tempt Head outside off stump. Head flashes the hands at it, trying to find a gap at cover, but it turns a mile as he drives and takes a thin edge. Joe Root swallows it at slip and England have an opening!

Australia 264/3 (73.2), Travis Head 43, Steve Smith 50, Moeen Ali 0-44 (12.2) (target 384)

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

50 for Steve Smith, nudging to a deep mid-on to bring up his 39th Test half century. He’s never got a fourth innings Test ton...

Australia 262/3 (73), Travis Head 42, Steve Smith 49, Chris Woakes 2-35 (15) (target 384)

16:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Creamed through the covers! That’s magnificent from Steve Smith, emancipating his arms and putting Chris Woakes away. One short of another half century.

Australia 258/3 (72), Travis Head 42, Steve Smith 45, Moeen Ali 0-42 (12) (target 384)

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And ball tracking shows it was bouncing over the top. Good from Moeen, holding his ground with both keeper and captain keen.

Australia 258/3 (72), Travis Head 42, Steve Smith 45, Moeen Ali 0-42 (12) (target 384)

16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England go up for an LBW appeal as Travis Head is beaten on the inside edge propping forward against Moeen Ali, but the bowler isn’t at all convinced, perhaps reckoning it hadn’t quite turned enough and bounced a little too much. Ben Stokes has a long old chat with the bowler...but the 15 permitted seconds elapse with Moeen unconvinced. England elect not to use their one remaining review.

Australia 256/3 (71), Travis Head 41, Steve Smith 44, Moeen Ali 0-40 (11) (target 384)

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:26 , Jack Rathborn

Australia 238/3 (67), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 40, Chris Woakes 2-24 (12) (target 384)

16:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

Australia 238/3 (66), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 40, Chris Woakes (target 384)

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chris Woakes will try to get back in the swing of things after a few hours with his feet-up watching the rain fall. Steve Smith on strike.

Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

16:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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.

4.20pm restart!

16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

News from the middle - it’s a 4.20pm restart!

Inspection at 4pm

15:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

15:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Provided there is no further rain, the officials will inspect the pitch at 4pm.

Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

15:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The covers are starting to come off at the Oval.

Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

With the rain down to a light sprinkle, the mopping up job is underway - though no news, yet, of an inspection time.

An early tea has, however, been taken under brightening skies.

Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hang on - the precipitation may have stopped. A few members of the groundstaff are making their way out to inspect the covers.

Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

15:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Still the rain falls. We don’t know have official clarity yet on when we can play until tonight - it may depend on what time cricket resumes.

Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

14:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

We have now started losing overs, with the covers still very much on.

Ashes weather forecast as rain threatens England hopes in London

14:43 , Jack Rathborn

England have been left frustrated once again by the weather as rain impacts the fifth Ashes Test at the Kia Oval.

David Warner and Usman Khawaja batted magnificently to guide the tourists to 140 for the first wicket. And Australia were given a boost before lunch on day five when Ben Stokes dropped Steve Smith due to a premature celebration.

Australia are chasing 384 to secure a 3-1 series win, while rain interrupted play once again after lunch in a dramatic Test that has seen Stuart Broad confirm he will retire from cricket at the end of the Test.

Ashes weather forecast as rain threatens England hopes in London

Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

14:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s coming down pretty steadily at the Oval, but not with the sort of intensity that ended any prospect of play yesterday. The indications are that this may continue until around four, but the evening forecast is more promising.

Ricky Ponting describes ball change as a ‘huge blunder'

14:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

While we wait for the rain to relent, a bit more on the ball change that worked to England’s benefit, with an old, soft ball swapped for what looked a considerably newer, harder Dukes after it had been damaged by Usman Khawaja’s helmet yesterday afternoon. Having found little through the air or off the pitch yesterday, England’s bowlers produced a much more testing spell of swing and seam this morning - and Ricky Ponting believes Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena made an error when retrieving a replacement from the box of spares yesterday.

“There’s, there’s no way in the world you can even look at those two balls there and say in any way they are comparable,” said Ponting on Sky Sports at lunch. “At the end of the day, if you are gonna change the ball, you want to make sure you get it as close as you possibly can to the one that you’re changing it from.

“Now if you have a look in that box, there weren’t too many older condition balls in there. But if you have a look at that, there were some older ones that were picked up. The umpires looked at them and threw them back. I just cannot fathom how two international umpires that have done that a lot of times can actually get that so wrong.

“That is a huge moment in this game, potentially a huge moment in the Test match and something that I think actually has to be investigated, whether there was the right condition balls in the box or the umpires have just blaze, picked one out of there that they thought would be ok to use. But there’s a perfect storm with it as well… Double the amount of movement this morning from yesterday afternoon, seam movement and swing. I think it’s a huge blunder that, as I said, needs to be investigated.”

Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

14:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ben Stokes drops Steve Smith as Australia edge towards target in Ashes finale

Rain stops play: Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

14:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, two hardy Yorkshire types, stay out there with the fourth umpire for a while, but make their way back to the dressing rooms. The covers are on.

RAIN STOPS PLAY! Australia 238/3 (66) (target 384)

14:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ah. There’s not even time for one ball before the spits and spots start to tumble again. Off they go...

Australia 238/3 (66), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 40, (target 384)

14:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And here come the players, too, ready to resume. Steve Smith can’t remember where he left his gloves, but eventually finds them beneath a seat by the boundary.

Australia 238/3 (target 384)

14:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But their outing is only brief - back away they go with the stumps being put back in ahead of the start of the second session. The radar suggests more rain may be on the way but that shower seems only to have clipped the Oval.

Lunch: Australia 238/3 (target 384)

14:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bad news - the covers appear to be coming on at the Oval, with rain starting to fall during the lunch interval.

Lunch: Australia 238/3 (target 384)

13:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ben Stokes was not at all happy with the umpires as he walked off for lunch, believing that he should not have had to burn a review to check his catch. I think that’s harsh on Joel Wilson - to give the umpire the benefit of the doubt, I think he picked up that Stokes hadn’t held it cleanly live, and was therefore perfectly entitled to not consult Nitin Menon in the third umpire’s chair. Given it was his own blunder, it’s odd that Stokes was persuaded around to reviewing by his close-in colleagues.

Here is the wording of Law 33.3, which concerns the cleanliness of a catch: “The act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder’s person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his/her own movement.”

Lunch: Australia 238/3 (target 384)

13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Heavens. This extraordinary Ashes series just keeps on giving, another session ending - you guessed it - perfectly poised. England were excellent for an hour, taking three for 29, but Steve Smith and Travis Head have rebuilt with a well constructed partnership that looks like it might have plenty more to give with 146 more needed. The catch that wasn’t was Smith’s only real scare; the Australia batter has never made a fourth innings ton in his Test career, and this would be quite the time to do it.

Slightly concerningly, the radar I’m looking at suggests some soggy splodges are about to slide over the Oval, which might spoil things for a time - fingers crossed for a fantastic finale.

Sonia Twigg at the Oval

13:35 , Sonia Twigg

Lunch: It had all started so brightly for England when the first three wickets fell in quick succession, but Travis Head and Steve Smith managed to both dig in and increase the run rate.

They put on a 50 partnership in just 10 overs to swing the momentum back in favour of Australia, with Head on 31 and Smith on 40 at the break.

Despite all the fanfare surrounding Stuart Broad and James Anderson, it was Chris Woakes who looked the most dangerous.

He had bowled well the day before to little reward, but took two wickets to dismiss the openers, leaving Australia having lost two wickets for just six runs at the start of day two.

But Australia will be confident that their chances of winning the series 3-1 are firmly in play, after going into the lunch break 273 for three.

There was a final moment of action just before lunch when Ben Stokes dropped Steve Smith on 39, England reviewed, the ball was shown to come off the glove, the England captain caught it but dropped it in his follow through.

LUNCH: AUSTRALIA 238/3 (target 384)

13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Australia 238/3 (66), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 40, Moeen Ali 0-33 (9) (target 384)

13:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This series. How big a moment might that be? Smith plays out four more dots from Moeen before pushing a single up to long-on. Lunch.

NOT OUT! Australia 237/3 (65.1), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 39, Moeen Ali 0-32 (8.1) (target 384)

13:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And that would be why Stokes was so uncertain - he’s lost control of the ball trying to throw it up in celebration! A horrible moment for the England captain, having leapt up so brilliantly to grab it at full extension. It’s clearly off the glove and initially appears to have gone cleanly into the hand, but he’s never fully in control, and a flick of his leg as he tries to toss the bouquet poops England’s party.

Smith survives!

Australia 237/3 (65.1), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 39, Moeen Ali 0-32 (8.1) (target 384)

13:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

What’s happened here? The ball loops to Ben Stokes at leg slip and the rest of England’s close-in fielders are convinced it came off the glove. Stokes seems confused - but eventually decides to review...

Australia 237/3 (65), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 39, Mark Wood 1-34 (9) (target 384)

13:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Harry Brook offers Travis Head a bit of advice from short leg on how to play Mark Wood’s bouncers, the general gist, seemingly, to whack it. Head, unhurried with Wood’s pace down, chooses to bob and weave instead.

One more before lunch with the clouds closing in and forecast rain due to arrive in the next half-hour. England would love to break this partnership.

Australia 236/3 (64), Travis Head 31, Steve Smith 38, Moeen Ali 0-32 (8) (target 384)

13:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

13:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

13:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

13:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

13:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

12:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

12:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

12:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

12:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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)

12:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

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

Australia 198/3 (55), Travis Head 14, Steve Smith 17, Stuart Broad 0-32 (12) (target 384)

12:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Australia are past the halfway point of this chase as their middle order try to settle in, Travis Head tucking tidily off his toes and beating the square leg sweeper to his right.

Australia 191/3 (54), Travis Head 8, Steve Smith 16, James Anderson 0-44 (12) (target 384)

12:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

These two were Australia’s centurions in the World Test Championship final at the Oval at the start of June, of course, sharing a partnership of 285. Head finds his favourite backward point area off the front foot as Anderson overpitches, a slightly squirted drive nonetheless struck with the requisite energy to scuttle away to the fence.

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