Joe Denly made 94 before being dismissed on a day where England dominated with the bat.
England - 294 & 313-8 / 225 - Australia
Joe Denly nearly capped off a perfect week by just missing out on a maiden Test century in the final Ashes Test at The Oval.
The Kent opener made 94 just two days after his wife had given birth to their second child, and he helped England to a commanding position to level the series by winning the fifth Test.
This performance all but secures his place in the squads for the winter tours, but his innings was not without good fortune after being dropped on nought last night, and he survived an lbw decision that would have been out had Mitchell Marsh asked for a review with Denly on 54.
He was caught at slip off Peter Siddle just six off the milestone after he had shared a third-wicket stand of 127 with Ben Stokes, who entertained in his 67.
Late Australian improvement saw them reduce England to 313-8 after a thrilling 47 from Jos Buttler, meaning England's lead is at 382.
With two days remaining and the pitch beginning to turn, England are poised to maintain their unbeaten home record in Test series since 2014, and against Australia since 2001.
England put together one of their best batting displays of the summer on a glorious day in South London, helped by some uncharacteristic generosity by the tourists.
With five catches going down and a repeated failure to use the review system correctly, they are really struggling - coupled with the fact that captain Tim Paine chose to field first with Siddle in over Mitchell Starc.
That takes othing away from Denly though, who has moved to opening for this Test after batting at three and four throughout the series.
He has proved himself with a third half-century in as many matches.
Australia's response to a sub-par performance was to start some sledging out on the square.
Matthew Wade and Joe Root exchanged words, as did David Warner and Stokes - England's Headingley match winner was goaded by all of the close fielder.
The man who fumbled the Ashes in Leeds Nathan Lyon chatted constantly, and the home support responded by taunting any fielder who ventured towards the boundary.
The late arrival of cult hero Jack Leach at the crease gave the crowd another enjoyable moment to cheer as we near the end of a memorable summer.
As Denly made 14 on the first morning, his wife Stacy was in the early stages of labour.
He left the ground that night and returned after lunch on Friday as the father of a baby girl.
Australia gave him a pair of reprieves to help him celebrate, Denly scoring down the ground and square of the wicket on the leg side.
He showed brilliant footwork against off-spinner Lyon and survived against some painful blows from the quicks.
He set the tone for Rory Burns and Joe Root to play with freedom, and after they both fell to Lyon, Stokes continued his good form.
The Durham allrounder was dropped by Steve Smith off Lyon before sweeping him and Marnus Labuschagne for six.
Lyon produced one that seemed to turn miles to bowl Stokes, while Denly edged to Smith off Siddle.
He raised his bat as he walked from the pitch in recognition of the standing ovation, but the disappointment of missing out on a hundred was written all over his face.
Before this match, Tim Paine said he saw it as a "grand final" as Australia look to win a series in England for the first time since 2001.
It appeared to slip away today; a poor toss decision, team selection, drops, failed reviews and a rare off day by Hazlewood ans Pat Cummins all culminated in an easy batting day for England.
Lyon has damage to his spinning finger and is struggling to be effective - not that he will be getting sympathy from the home crowd.
He found some form and had Burns caught behind, Root held at slip and produced a beauty to dismiss Stokes.
He could have had another scalp but for the decision not to review when Buttler was given not out for lbw on 19.
It wasn't until the end of the day that Australia had something to celebrate, with SMith leaping to his right to catch Woakes before a diving Labuschagne at deep square leg held on to dismiss Buttler off the next ball.
The Ashes Fixtures and Results
1-5 August
First Test, Edgbaston
Australia won by 251 runs (England 0-1 Australia)
14-18 August
Second Test, Lord's
Match drawn (England 0-1 Australia)
22-26 August
Third Test, Headingley
England won by one wicket (England 1-1 Australia)
4-8 September
Fourth Test, Old Trafford
Australia won by 185 runs (England 1-2 Australia)
12-16 September
Fifth Test, The Oval
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| Photo from The Telegraph |
England - 294 & 313-8 / 225 - Australia
Joe Denly nearly capped off a perfect week by just missing out on a maiden Test century in the final Ashes Test at The Oval.
The Kent opener made 94 just two days after his wife had given birth to their second child, and he helped England to a commanding position to level the series by winning the fifth Test.
This performance all but secures his place in the squads for the winter tours, but his innings was not without good fortune after being dropped on nought last night, and he survived an lbw decision that would have been out had Mitchell Marsh asked for a review with Denly on 54.
He was caught at slip off Peter Siddle just six off the milestone after he had shared a third-wicket stand of 127 with Ben Stokes, who entertained in his 67.
Late Australian improvement saw them reduce England to 313-8 after a thrilling 47 from Jos Buttler, meaning England's lead is at 382.
With two days remaining and the pitch beginning to turn, England are poised to maintain their unbeaten home record in Test series since 2014, and against Australia since 2001.
England put together one of their best batting displays of the summer on a glorious day in South London, helped by some uncharacteristic generosity by the tourists.
With five catches going down and a repeated failure to use the review system correctly, they are really struggling - coupled with the fact that captain Tim Paine chose to field first with Siddle in over Mitchell Starc.
That takes othing away from Denly though, who has moved to opening for this Test after batting at three and four throughout the series.
He has proved himself with a third half-century in as many matches.
Australia's response to a sub-par performance was to start some sledging out on the square.
Matthew Wade and Joe Root exchanged words, as did David Warner and Stokes - England's Headingley match winner was goaded by all of the close fielder.
The man who fumbled the Ashes in Leeds Nathan Lyon chatted constantly, and the home support responded by taunting any fielder who ventured towards the boundary.
The late arrival of cult hero Jack Leach at the crease gave the crowd another enjoyable moment to cheer as we near the end of a memorable summer.
As Denly made 14 on the first morning, his wife Stacy was in the early stages of labour.
He left the ground that night and returned after lunch on Friday as the father of a baby girl.
Australia gave him a pair of reprieves to help him celebrate, Denly scoring down the ground and square of the wicket on the leg side.
He showed brilliant footwork against off-spinner Lyon and survived against some painful blows from the quicks.
He set the tone for Rory Burns and Joe Root to play with freedom, and after they both fell to Lyon, Stokes continued his good form.
The Durham allrounder was dropped by Steve Smith off Lyon before sweeping him and Marnus Labuschagne for six.
Lyon produced one that seemed to turn miles to bowl Stokes, while Denly edged to Smith off Siddle.
He raised his bat as he walked from the pitch in recognition of the standing ovation, but the disappointment of missing out on a hundred was written all over his face.
 |
| Photo from News.com.au |
It appeared to slip away today; a poor toss decision, team selection, drops, failed reviews and a rare off day by Hazlewood ans Pat Cummins all culminated in an easy batting day for England.
Lyon has damage to his spinning finger and is struggling to be effective - not that he will be getting sympathy from the home crowd.
He found some form and had Burns caught behind, Root held at slip and produced a beauty to dismiss Stokes.
He could have had another scalp but for the decision not to review when Buttler was given not out for lbw on 19.
It wasn't until the end of the day that Australia had something to celebrate, with SMith leaping to his right to catch Woakes before a diving Labuschagne at deep square leg held on to dismiss Buttler off the next ball.
The Ashes Fixtures and Results
1-5 August
First Test, Edgbaston
Australia won by 251 runs (England 0-1 Australia)
14-18 August
Second Test, Lord's
Match drawn (England 0-1 Australia)
22-26 August
Third Test, Headingley
England won by one wicket (England 1-1 Australia)
4-8 September
Fourth Test, Old Trafford
Australia won by 185 runs (England 1-2 Australia)
12-16 September
Fifth Test, The Oval
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