As expected Australia claimed victory in the fourth day, bowling the English out to win by an innings and 46 runs after a brief rain delay.
>>REPORT: Australia send off Clarke, Rogers with fifth-test win
Michael Clarke and Chris Rogers finished their careers of on a high, while future skipper Steve Smith was named Man of the Match.
England gritted their way to a fighting second innings effort but Australia look to be within touching distance of going home with a consolation win. The fourth day of this fifth Ashes Test match will be played at The Oval on Sunday and you can follow the live blog from 8:00pm AEST.
Things moved along at a slow pace right throughout the third day after England were made to follow-on by Michael Clarke.
Clarke, who had never enforced a follow-on in his entire Test career before this game, decided to go for the jugular, with his decision partially being influenced by the weather forecast.
Starting off on Sunday afternoon, it’s expected to rain hard in London and Australia wouldn’t want to go back with a draw brought about by the weather.
In their second innings, after having lost their last two wickets in the first innings off successive deliveries to Mitchell Johnson, England opted to go for an approach that hasn’t been seen all series.
With all talk around aggression and a positive approach towards the Tests, batsmen have often been found wanting against genuine swing. England have obviously batted better as a team after Australia faced some trying conditions in the previous two games, but this was an approach not too dissimilar from the one Australia had taken in the first hour of play on day one of this Test.
Except that Alastair Cook and company tried to bat in that vein through the entire duration of the 79 overs they faced.
The approach almost reaped benefits and they could easily have ended the day losing a couple of wickets less than the six they did.
For instance when Jonny Bairstow fell after his partnership with Cook, a slightly more sensible approach from Ben Stokes could have helped.
Similarly, Cook’s wicket at the fag end of the day ensured there was no heroics from the English captain on the fourth day, despite his massive 234-ball effort on day three.
What England can still hope is for their last four wickets to carry on batting until the heavens open.
The late wicket of Cook leaves this responsibility in the hands of Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali, with Mark Wood currently at the crease as the night watchman.
Moeen has batted with aggression in the past in this series but in the first innings of this Test, he battled through 61 balls, before being the last man out. With Buttler’s stay at the crease on day three having given him some confidence after having struggled through the first four Tests, England will hope.
Hope to bat as long as they can until it rains. And then hope the rain doesn’t stop for a long time, enough to give them an outside chance of escaping with a draw.
From Australia’s point of view, they need to keep doing what they have been doing all game. Bowl the channels, keep pegging away and the mistakes will come.
The track after all, continues to offer reasonable movement for the bowlers and with the new ball just an over away, they will be looking at four good deliveries to end this difficult series on a positive note.
Follow the live scores and blog of this fourth day of the fifth Ashes 2015 Test between England and Australia from 08:00pm AEST on Sunday and post your comments in the section below.
Grand Armee
Guest
Not to mention Broad scored some handy runs down the order, and hung around with Mooen Ali to wag...
Grand Armee
Guest
I tipped Root before the series, but I think that Stuart Broad should of won this. Was consistent across more games, and was so unlucky not to have got more wickets. The Trent Bridge spell destroyed Australia's hopes of keeping the Ashes alive, and he did it without Anderson at the other end.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
Cheers suneer!
JimmyB
Guest
Think about it.
JimmyB
Guest
Cheers Suneer, great work.
riddler
Guest
cheers suneer..
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
I know hes muslim but hows that relevnt
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
I suppose that's it from me for now. Done with the Tests but we still have the ODIs to go. Australia have one against Ireland, before England and Australia meet in a T20I and five ODIs starting from August 31. Australia have named a fresh-looking side for that series, England are yet to name theirs but rest assured it will look to continue their good work from the Ashes and the New Zealand ODI series win. Will be there to live blog all of those, so make sure to be a part. And with that, I take your leave. As always, been an absolute pleasure, been absolutely memorable even if the matches by themselves weren't too close. Thank you for all your comments, opinions & reads. Have a good night ahead. Hasta la Vista!
JimmyB
Guest
Because he's a Muslim genius.
JimmyB
Guest
Well done boys, really didn't expect this result before the series started.
Brains of a bimbo (Atgm)
Guest
Why ali behaving like ashley cole???
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Cook has lifted the Ashes urn and pop goes the bubbly! That's over quite quickly though, as the players walk off after that ceremony. Now for the official photography session, with the players calling for their support staff down. I think Farbrace and Bayliss have wisely decided they do not want to get drenched and remain away from the celebrations.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Here we go then, the final stages. Cook and his team being given the medallions. Ian Bell and a couple of others are already on their best 'selfie' modes. Cook gets awarded the Investec trophy. Cook: Interesting Test, both sides were a little bit off in terms of intensity but well played Australia. Credit to Australia for showing their character. We have seen how strong Australia are in this game, so to beat them thrice was a big thing. The crowds have been absolutely fantastic in all five Tests, so from all players here we thank them. I think we have been tightly knit throughout but it was good to start off as underdogs, there were no expectations from us which helped. This Ashes win has to rank up there among all my Ashes wins. What's gone on in the past makes this extra special, rebuilding, learning the hard game, it all makes it interesting. We need to keep learning.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The two teams are now getting their medals, starting with the Aussies. Michael Clarke: I think after the last Test, it couldnt have gotten any better than this Test. we put in a lot of hard work after that. Well done to the English team, who deserve to win this series. Not sure regret is the right word, we are disappointed but it shows character to be able to come back and win this Test. They are probably clapping for me for not scoring too many runs! Fans are such an important part of this game, probably my favourite tour was 2005 and I am thankful and grateful to tour UK, hopefully I can return back and watch some cricket. Not sure I thought I could play this long with my body. I hope I have been able to pass my knowledge to the youngsters, think Aussie cricket is in great hands of Steven Smith. My advice to the team would be to enjoy every moment. It's been a privilege to be a part. Not my stage, this is Alastair's stage, congratulations for the Ashes win.
JimmyB
Guest
Congratulations to Australia on their victory in this Test, too good this time. Won the battle, but lost the war.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The Aussie batting as a unit.
JimmyB
Guest
How gracious Matt, enjoy those sour grapes fella.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The Compton-Miller Medal winner and the England man-of-the-series is Joe Root. ICC's World Number One Test batsman too. Root: Credit to Australia, they outplayed us in all departments of the game. The guys prepared very well, for this Test, but Australia being the good side they are, they hurt us when our performances went down. I think credit has to go to the whole squad, it's been a team performance, everyone's contributed to the win. Tonight will be hard to beat, hard to pick a favourite moment. Look forward to the future. Responsibilities come while playing cricket, for England or otherwise, don't think the number one ranking changes that.
Rob McHugh
Roar Guru
Shane Warne just does not think about things before he says them. What about Johnson, who save for a couple of spells was fairly useless. Voges for only making two decent scoress when the results of the match (and series) were beyond doubt. Warner for not making a century and throwing his wicket away on multiple occasions at the start of the series. Clarke for not making any reasonable scores. Shane Warne has a razor sharp cricketing brain, but I wish he could seperate his opinions from reality more regularly. Life is not a Marshall advertisement.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
The men-of-the-series. First up is the Australian man of the series, and it's been awarded to Chris Rogers! What a way to bow out. Rogers: I have never been up here for a man of the series award, so a bitter-sweet effort. It's been tough the last time I played in England and even this one has been tough, but it's been special to score these many. I am proud Aussie but it's quite fitting that I have finished up in England, where I have played a lot of my cricket. First and foremost I was playing cricket for a living, so to get this late opportunity has been excellent. Thanks to the Aussie guys for the kind of support they gave.