Key posts
WICKET – England all out 395
Todd Murphy has James Anderson trapped in front for eight attempting a reverse-sweep. England’s No.11 sends Joel Wilson’s verdict upstairs, but it’s to no avail. That was hitting the top of middle and off, so Anderson has to go.
England are all out for 395, leaving Australia a victory target of 384.
Broad clears the rope
Stuart Broad finishes the first over of the day with a six to a short ball. It really does boggle the mind why Australia’s quicks don’t just aim at the stumps of a tailender.
Broad given a guard of honour
The Australians have given Stuart Broad a guard of honour as he walks out to bat for the final time. Broad last night announced he would retire from international cricket after this game.
It’s a great gesture and mark of respect by Pat Cummins’ men for one of the finest bowlers of the modern era.
History against Australia
If history is a guide, Australia will need a miracle if they are to run down England’s target to secure a 3-1 series victory.
The highest successful run chase at The Oval is 9/263 set way back in 1902 by England. Australia’s best fourth-innings effort to win here came in 1972 when an unbeaten 71-run stand for the sixth wicket between Paul Sheahan and the late Rod Marsh steered Ian Chappell’s team to victory.
England’s overnight lead is 377 so even if the hosts declared overnight, which they haven’t, Australia would need the 10th highest successful run chase anywhere. It’s not looking great for the visitors.
‘Fills me with joy’: Why Stuart Broad wanted to finish with the Ashes
By Malcolm Conn
Ever the entertainer, Stuart Broad’s retirement announcement was an upbeat occasion delivered with flourish and flair as Australia’s chief tormentor said goodbye to his 16-year Test career midway through the fifth and final Test at the Oval.
“I’ve had a love affair with the Ashes my whole life and the thought of being able to bowl my last ball and face my last ball versus Australia is something that fills me with joy,” said Broad, 37, who was unsure before this series how many Tests he would play, but is now almost certain to end up England’s chief wicket-taker.
“It’s been the most enjoyable series, most entertaining series. The most edge-of-the-seat series that I can remember. And ultimately, I’m in love with the game. I still love playing the game.
“I love being part of the changing room and I think I wanted to have those memories leaving the game, and I think that that will definitely make me stay in love with the game of cricket for the rest of my life.
“I knew deep down that I wanted to finish playing cricket at the very top. And part of me wanted to know that I could still do it when I eventually stopped.”
Good evening
Welcome to our live blog for day four of the fifth Test from The Oval with play set to start at 8pm AEST.
Watch: Day three highlights
Australia must beat history to win Ashes series as Stuart Broad retires
By Malcolm Conn
A fading Australia will need to create history for a most unlikely Test and series victory as Stuart Broad aims to go out on a high in the fifth and final Test after announcing his retirement at the Oval on Saturday.
England were 9-389 from 80 overs at stumps on day three with Broad unbeaten on two. They lead by 377, more than any team has scored batting last to win during 143 years of Test cricket at the famous south London ground, with two days to play.
Mitchell Starc and Usman Khawaja celebrate Chris Woakes’ dismissal.Credit: Getty
The leading wicket taker of any player in history against Australia with 151, Broad, 37, is hoping to add to his 602 wickets from 167 Tests in the fourth innings at The Oval while helping England can level the series 2-2.
