England win Ashes 3-2

England win Ashes 3-2 despite fifth Test defeat at Oval

Retiring Clarke bows out with victory but having lost Ashes...

 

 

England celebrated a 3-2 Ashes-winning scoreline after Australia completed an innings and 46-run victory on a rain-interrupted day four of the fifth and final Investec Test at the Oval.

A pick of the action from day four of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval

Alastair Cook's side - who regained the urn in spectacular style at Trent Bridge 15 days ago - missed out on becoming the first England side to win a home Ashes series 4-1 by a distance.
But Cook is still only the third England captain, after WG Grace and Michael Brearley, to win two Ashes series on home turf - an achievement all the more remarkable given Australia began what became a fluctuating series as heavy favourites.

Alastair Cook looks back at the four Tests that saw England regain the Ashes

This is the first time England have beaten Australia 3-2 in a home series, having previously only won by that margin in Australia in 1884/85, 1894/95 and 1903/04.
Oddly, English celebrations could only resume in earnest, though, once their fifth Test defeat was confirmed; that moment came at 3.26pm when Moeen Ali edged Peter Siddle behind as England were bowled out for 286.

Trevor Bayliss told Ian Ward that he believes that the future looks good for England's Test side

So Australia's skipper Michael Clarke bowed out of international cricket after 115 Tests with a victory but having never been part of an Ashes-winning side on English soil in four attempts. He was given a guard of honour by his own team as he left the field as captain for the last time.
England's dismal collapse to 107-8 in the final session on day two meant Australia's second victory of the series was a case of when, not if - despite the threat of rain.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann admitted that England were just too good for his team

Following on, England began the fourth day on 203-6, still 129 runs adrift.
Clarke received a standing ovation as he led Australia out ahead, receiving a handshake from Chris Rogers – also playing his final Test before retirement.

Joe Root was named England's Man of the Series and the overall Ashes Man of the Series

Night-watchman Mark Wood almost gifted his wicket to Australia's cause in the third over of the day, setting off for an unlikely run and having to dive back into his ground – replays showing a direct hit from Steve Smith would have sent him back.
There was no such reprieve in Peter Siddle's next over when Wood was hit in front – the decision going in Australia's favour on review.

Australia duo Chris Rogers and Michael Clarke give their thoughts to Ian Ward

Jos Buttler, 33 not out, improved his highest score of the series to 42 with the help of a couple of sweet straight drives.
But with the skies ever darkening he drove far too loosely at Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc grabbed a low chance at mid-off.

Michael Clarke believes that Australian cricket will be in great hands under new captain Steve Smith

Moeen Ali continued to play his shots even after the first spots of rain began to fall 10 overs into the day – spinner Nathan Lyon beating England's number nine with a beauty.
Inevitably, the teams went off for rain at 12.16pm to impressive cheers from the home fans, no doubt hoping the bad weather would deny Australia a 3-2 series scoreline.

Chris Rogers was named Australia's Man of the Series

When play did resume under bright skies at 3pm, it took Australia just six minutes to inch closer to victory – Siddle bowling Stuart Broad off a feather of an inside edge.
England's defeat came 20 minutes later when the deserving Siddle (4-35) collected the fourth wicket of the innings to complete an impressive return to the Test team.