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So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentator, Pratyush Rohra as we wrap up the coverage of this Test and the Ashes as a whole. There is a lot more exciting cricket coming up tomorrow in the form of the final WI vs IND ODI, LPL and so much more. So, do join us at Sportskeeda and enjoy all the coverage. Until next time, it is a warm good-bye
Pat Cummins (Australia captain): (On whether the score-line is a fair reflection) I think so. Two really high-quality teams. 2-2 is fair, wonderful series to be part of. (Whether Australia came to Day 5 wanting to go for the chase) Yeah, of course. From the start, we wanted to win the Ashes. Unfortunately not to be but a great game to be part of. We can be hugely proud of retaining the Ashes. No easy feat to do it against a quality English side. It has been a great tour for us. Yes, there were so many moments in the series. (On the pressure that Australia faced at Old Trafford) That is what makes the Ashes special. The crowd, the media. The pressure is all on and you wouldn't want it any other way.(On the what if moments in the series) You can probably find a 100 moments, so yeah 2-2 is the score. (About Stuart Broad) Yeah, great competitor. Always saved his best for Australia. Runs in all day. I have played a third of the Test matches he has played, can't fathom playing that many.
Ben Stokes (England captain): (How he feels right now) Really good. 2-2 at the end of a series like this is a fair reflection. Australia are the World Test champions, absolutely quality side. Incredibly proud of everyone. Woakesy has played just three games and walked off as the 'Player of the Series. That reflects it. Having played a lot of cricket, you know how it is chasing in the 4th innings. Turning up on the final day with 250 odds to get, it was still going to be tough for them. Woody has put in some unbelievable performances. Yesterday and today, he was really sore. He still wanted to bowl. To have people like that is amazing. I have played with Broady for a long, long time. He has been an unbelievable performer for England for a long, long time. Mo came into the squad due to an unfortunate injury to Jack Leach. When it really mattered, Mo produced one of his best performances. Great servant to England as well. (Whether Moeen will continue playing Tests) Let Mo reflect on everything and have him make the decision. Coming into this series, to bounce back from 0-2 would have been difficult for anyone. Mentioned to Pat, 'What a series to be part of'. We have been vocal about what we want to do. We have want Test cricket to be alive and this series has gone a long way in doing that. This series has captivated a lot of new people, attracted a new audience. (Whether he will play the away Ashes in 2 years time) It is hard to lose appetite when you love Test cricket as much as I do
Chris Woakes has been named as the 'Player of the Match'. Here is what he had to say. Nice to come into the side and contribute. 2-2 is quite a fair result in the end. Not been a part of this squad for over 12 months. So, was desperate to get in and have a go. Couldn't have asked for it to go better honestly. Always felt I will get an opportunity with the grueling schedule. To perform like I did at Headingley was the most pleasing part. I got an early wicket in that spell. That was key in calming me down. (On hitting the winning runs in the 3rd Test) That is up there with the best moments for me in Test cricket. Fitting end for Stuart Broad. Pretty sure he will let us know he hit his last ball for a six and took the final wicket too. This is the pinnacle of cricket and Test cricket. We made the most of the conditions. (On getting a changed ball at the start of Day 5) When you get a ball change like that, you hope it goes your away and thankfully it did. (Whether he wants to play away Tests) Will leave that to Stokesy and Baz. Want to play as much cricket as you can for England. There is a lot of franchise cricket but you don't get to feel like this elsewhere
Mitchell Starc is the Player of the Series for Australia. Let's hear what he has to say: It was an incredible five Test matches. It was exciting throughout. The way it finished today, it shows the quality and also the emotions of the whole Ashes. It happened quickly, much like the whole series. That's the nature of the series, coming down to the last game of the series. Congratulations to Stuart on his retirement. Couldn't have scripted it any batter. I loved to express myself with this group. It's great to be a part of them for a long time and I've got plenty of support from everyone. We've got a fantastic support staff and the physios. It's been a busy 6-8 weeks for both teams and the quality of cricket throughout was fantastic. (Tactics) It wasn't too dissimilar to how I'd normally operate. It was exciting to be a part of two different styles of play and the support we had throughout was fantastic. We certainly felt that the attacking brand would create some opportunities to take wickets and that proved to be the case. We had to adjust a bit but it sums up a fascinating series in the end.
Stuart Broad: I just made that up (switching bails). I thought it was an Australian superstition. The Marnus one just made me smile in the first innings. There were a few plays and misses today, so I thought I'll just change it from the bowler's end today. (Looking back at the series) I don't have many regrets with cricket but I would have probably taken the new ball at Edgbaston when Pat and Lyon won them the game. We were bowling bouncers with the old ball but when we took the new ball, it was coming on a lot better. If we could turn back the clock, I would have stuck with the old ball. It's alright though. We were in the field for a day and a half. When you lose to Australia, you know you've done all you can. (Farewell) It's really cool. I could spot a few headbands all around. It ended up being a superstition. We used it during Covid and once I took it off, I didn't take too many wickets. So, I wore it again and its nice to see it become a thing.
MATCH OVER!
England won by 49 runs!
England 1st Inns 283-10 Australia 1st Inns 295-10 England 2nd Inns 395-10 Australia 2nd Inns 334-10
The fairytale is complete! For Stuart Broad! For England! For the Ashes! What a Test, what a series this has been! Australia came into the day as favourites after being 135-0. However, Chris Woakes produced a masterclass with the new ball as he removed David Warner and Usman Khawaja early on. It didn't take time for Mark Wood to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne too as Australia were put on the mat.
Yet, the pair of Steven Smith and Travis Head rebuilt and took the team to safety as Australia head to Lunch requiring 146 runs. But rain threatened to play spoilsport as the second session was wiped out forcing the umpires to take Tea earlier than scheduled. Luckily, the weather gods relented and play resumed with 52 overs to be played. Strangely, the umpires had made a mistake and there was an update that 47 overs were to be bowled. Australia did start steadily after Tea with both Head and Smith looking comfortable. There was still a twist in the tale though as Moeen removed Head with the latter edging one to Joe Root at slip. Soon, Woakes got Steven Smith while Jonny Bairstow pulled off a stunner to send back Mitchell Marsh. All of a sudden, the game turned on its head as Australia were reduced to 274-6. The visitors continued to crumble with Woakes accounting for Mitchell Marsh while Moeen dismissed Pat Cummins.
Thereafter, the pair of Alex Carey and Todd Murphy built a little partnership to make the equation interesting. However, an inspired Stuart Broad found the outside-edge of both the batters to seal a stunning win in his final Test match. With that, England managed to square the series and continue their magical run of form under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes!
94.4 Stuart Broad to Alex Carey, GONEEE! BROAD DRAWS THE CURTAINS ON A MEMORABLE ASHES SERIES! Fitting. Poetic. Call it what you want. This is what sport is all about. They might have not retained the Ashes but the scenes at the Oval are incredible. Broad does it in typical fashion, angling it into the channel of uncertainty before shaping it away, getting the outside edge on its way to the keeper. Broad's off for his celebrappeal with the crowd in the background rising in unison. England win the final Test of the series by 29 runs!
Alex Carey c Jonny Bairstow b Stuart Broad 28 (50b, 1x4, 1x6)
94.3 Stuart Broad to Alex Carey, bangs it in short on this occasion. Carey ducks underneath, no run
94.2 Stuart Broad to Alex Carey, angled in from the back of a length. Carey nudges it around the corner but there's no scope for a brace there, no run
Video
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B Stokes
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Kennington Oval, London
