England defeated Australia by 135 runs in the fifth Test
The same intensity carried into the fifth and final Test at The Oval. On 15th September 2019, England produced a dominant all-round display to defeat Australia by 135 runs and level the series 2-2. Though Australia had already retained the urn, England’s fightback ensured the series ended evenly, leaving fans with unforgettable memories of classic Ashes cricket.
The last match of the 2019 Ashes series at The Oval was a thrilling Test that saw England take on Australia from September 12 to 15. It was a big moment in the ICC World Test Championship, with Australia already securing the Ashes but England fighting to draw the series 2-2. Australia won the toss and put England in to bat on a pitch that promised runs but had a bit of spice for the bowlers early on. England’s victory by 135 runs tied the series.
England’s first innings kicked off with Rory Burns and Joe Denly at the crease. Denly looked good early, stroking two fours for his 14 off 26 balls, but Pat Cummins got him caught by Steve Smith. Burns dug in, hitting seven boundaries for a solid 47 off 87 balls before Mitchell Marsh snagged him, caught by Hazlewood. Joe Root, the skipper, came in and played a captain’s knock, grinding out 57 off 141 balls with three fours. He held the innings together as wickets fell around him. Ben Stokes, fresh off his Headingley heroics, made 20 off 36 with two fours but fell to Marsh, caught by Nathan Lyon. Jonny Bairstow, behind the stumps, scored a steady 22 off 55 with three boundaries before Marsh trapped him lbw.
At 176 for five, England were in trouble, but Jos Buttler turned things around with a cracking 70 off 98 balls, smashing seven fours and three sixes. He played with flair, lifting the team’s spirits. Sam Curran chipped in with a quick 15 off 13, including a four and a six, before Smith caught him off Marsh. Chris Woakes managed just 2 off 5, lbw to Marsh, while Jofra Archer hit 9 off 16 with two fours, caught by Paine off Hazlewood. Jack Leach fought for 21 off 43 with three boundaries, bowled by Marsh. Stuart Broad was not out on 0. With 17 extras, 3 byes, 7 leg byes, 2 no-balls, and 5 wides, England reached 294 in 87.1 overs, scoring at 3.37 runs per over.
Mitchell Marsh was the star bowler, grabbing 5 for 46 in 18.2 overs, swinging the ball to rip through England’s middle order. Cummins backed him up with 3 for 84 in 25.5 overs, and Hazlewood took 2 for 76 in 21. Peter Siddle went for 61 without a wicket, Lyon leaked 12 in 4 overs, and Labuschagne gave 5 in one. England’s innings ended early on day two after being 271 for 8 overnight, with Buttler’s knock ensuring a decent total. Root’s grit and Buttler’s aggression kept England competitive, but Marsh’s spell made sure Australia stayed in the fight.
Australia’s first innings started with England’s bowlers, led by Jofra Archer, coming out firing. David Warner flashed 5 off 8 with a four before Bairstow caught him off Archer. Marcus Harris scratched around for 3 off 15, caught by Stokes off Archer. Marnus Labuschagne battled for 48 off 84, hitting ten fours, but Archer got him lbw. Steve Smith, the rock of Australia’s batting, played a gem, scoring 80 off 145 with nine fours and a six, before Woakes trapped him lbw. Matthew Wade made 19 off 31 with two fours, falling lbw to Sam Curran.
Mitchell Marsh scored 17 off 44 with two boundaries, caught off Archer. Skipper Tim Paine struggled for 1 off 15, caught by Bairstow off Curran. Pat Cummins was out for a duck off one ball, lbw to Curran. Peter Siddle hung around for 18 off 39 with two fours, caught off Archer. Nathan Lyon smashed 25 off 30, including four boundaries and a six, before Archer bowled him. Josh Hazlewood was not out on 1. Extras added 8, 1 bye, 2 leg byes, and 5 wides taking Australia to 225 in 68.5 overs at 3.26 per over, 69 runs behind.
Archer was electric, taking 6 for 62 in 23.5 overs, his pace too much for Australia. Curran swung the ball to claim 3 for 46 in 17 overs. Woakes got 1 for 51 in 10, while Broad was tight with 0 for 45 in 12, and Leach gave 18 in 6 without a wicket. Smith’s innings was the highlight, but Archer’s fiery spell, especially dismissing Labuschagne and Marsh, swung the game England’s way. Australia’s batting folded quicker than hoped, leaving them with work to do.
England’s second innings was about building a big lead. Rory Burns started with 20 off 48, hitting four fours, before Lyon had him caught by Paine. Joe Denly played a beauty, scoring 94 off 206 with 14 fours and a six, just missing a ton, caught by Smith off Siddle. Joe Root scored a quick 21 off 26 with two fours, caught off Lyon. Ben Stokes played a cracking 67 off 115 with five fours and two sixes, bowled by Lyon.
Jonny Bairstow made 14 off 24 with three boundaries, caught by Smith off Marsh. Jos Buttler kept the momentum with 47 off 63, hitting six fours, before Labuschagne caught him off Siddle. Sam Curran scored 17 off 26 with two fours, caught by Paine off Cummins. Chris Woakes made 6 off 16 with a four, caught by Smith off Marsh. Jofra Archer got 3 off 9, caught by Paine off Cummins. Jack Leach scored 9 off 32 with a four, caught off Lyon. Stuart Broad smashed 12 not out off 9 with two sixes.
Extras were 19, 7 byes, 11 leg byes, 1 no-ball taking England to 329 in 95.3 overs at 3.44 per over, setting 399 to win. Lyon was the pick, taking 4 for 69 in 24.3 overs. Siddle got 2 for 52 in 13, Marsh 2 for 40 in 11, and Cummins 2 for 67 in 21. Hazlewood and Labuschagne went wicketless. Denly’s near-century and Stokes’ flair built a daunting target, with England’s lower order adding quick runs to pile on the pressure.
Australia’s second innings, chasing 399, was always going to be a mountain to climb. Marcus Harris started with 9 off 15 balls, hitting two fours, but Stuart Broad bowled him. David Warner made 11 off 22 balls with two boundaries before Broad had him caught by Burns. Marnus Labuschagne scored 14 off 39 balls with one four, stumped off Jack Leach. Steve Smith, usually so reliable, made 23 off 53 balls with four fours, caught by Stokes off Broad. Matthew Wade played a lone warrior’s knock, scoring a superb 117 off 166 balls, smashing 17 fours and a six, before Joe Root had him stumped.
Mitchell Marsh scored 24 off 67 balls with four boundaries, caught by Buttler off Root. Tim Paine made 21 off 34 balls, hitting four fours, before Leach trapped him lbw. Pat Cummins scored 9 off 41 balls with one four, caught by Bairstow off Broad. Peter Siddle was not out on 13 off 18 balls with two fours. Nathan Lyon made 1 off 8 balls, caught by Root off Leach. Josh Hazlewood was out for 0 off 1 ball, caught by Root off Leach. Extras added 21 runs, 2 byes, 12 leg byes, 2 no-balls, and 5 penalty runs, taking Australia to 263 in 77 overs at 3.41 runs per over.
Stuart Broad led the attack with 4 for 62 in 15 overs, dismissing Harris, Warner, Smith, and Cummins. Jack Leach was equally crucial, taking 4 for 49 in 22 overs, removing Labuschagne, Paine, Lyon, and Hazlewood. Joe Root chipped in with 2 for 26 in 9 overs, getting Wade and Marsh. Jofra Archer went wicketless for 66 in 16 overs, Sam Curran for 22 in 8 overs, and Chris Woakes for 19 in 7 overs. Wade’s century was a highlight, with key partnerships like 63 with Marsh and 52 with Paine, but wickets fell steadily. England sealed the win on day four, with Leach and Broad’s tight bowling ensuring Australia couldn’t pull off a miracle.