The Ashes LIVE: Result and reaction from England vs Australia as Stuart Broad enjoys fairytale retirement

England win the final Test by 49 runs to draw the Ashes as Broad, Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes take key wickets on day five at the Oval

Stuart Broad announces he will retire from cricket after final Ashes test

Stuart Broad produced a fairytale finish to his career as he took the final two wickets to give England cricket victory over Australia cricket by 49 runs in the fifth Test and snatch an Ashes series draw.

The 603rd and 604th scalps of Broad’s Test career ensured Ben Stokes’ side levelled the series at 2-2 with Australia all out for 334 to end a thrilling series in style.

Broad, who announced during the Test that he will retire from cricket after the series, left the field alongside Moeen Ali, who is also expected to retire from red-ball cricket following this match, to a standing ovation from the Oval crowd

Follow the result and reaction from a thrilling day five at the Oval below.

Ashes LIVE: England vs Australia, fifth test

• England beat Australia by 49 runs to win final Test and draw a thrilling Ashes series 2-2
• Stuart Broad takes final two wickets to enjoy fairytale end to his career after announcing his retirement
• CATCH! Jonny Bairstow takes a spectacular catch to remove Mitchell Marsh as England move to brink of victory
• ‘I’ve given my heart and soul’: Stuart Broad will leave behind a golden England legacy
• From hat-trick heroics to Ashes annihilation – Stuart Broad’s best Test displays

[31 July 2023 09:54 · Mike Jones]

England vs Australia

After the testimonial vibes of Stuart Broad’s standing ovation and guard of honour, a bizarre opening passage of play occurred on the fourth from Mitchell Starc’s opening over with singles turned down during the first five balls.

It was quickly forgotten when Starc’s final delivery was short and Broad latched onto it with a swashbuckling pull for six over square leg.

James Anderson was then trapped lbw by Todd Murphy in the next over, which meant Broad’s maximum was the final ball he faced in cricket.

Some way to go out.

[31 July 2023 09:50 · Mike Jones]

View from the dressing room

England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick spoke about today’s play saying: “If there was one more fairy tale left it would be ideal if it was Stuart’s last five-fer, one to win or two to win and he runs in and gets his last five-fer.

“Something like that would be brilliant wouldn’t it?”

England may prefer for Australia not to get their target down to single figures but Broad will be dreaming of a leading character role.

Australia need 249 more runs to pull off victory and claim a 3-1 series win, but their pursuit of 384 would represent the second highest Test chase in this country. It is geared up to be another thriller.

[31 July 2023 09:46 · Mike Jones]

Monday’s weather watch

The BBC forecast reading: “Monday looks to see further showers during the early morning, but these are set to be light. As the day progresses, these will tend to clear away, and sunshine will widely develop.”

The Met Office suggests London will be hit by 16-32mm/hour of rain from 4:30pm, but by 5pm it says there will be less than 0.5 mm/hour of rain.

The Met Office forecast reads: “Further rain overnight persisting widely until Monday afternoon. Then sunny spells and showers. Remaining blustery. Maximum temperature 23 °C.”

The only times there is more than a 10 percent chance of rain on Monday, according to the Met Office, is at 10am (50 percent) and 3pm (40 percent), respectively.

AccuWeather says there is just a 40 percent chance of rain from 5pm and 34 percent chance of rain from 6pm. AccuWeather’s forecast for Monday shows a 25 percent chance of rain throughout the morning and afternoon overall.

But AccuWeather’s hourly forecast for Monday has a seven percent chance of rain or less for each hour during the day’s scheduled play.

[31 July 2023 09:41 · Mike Jones]

Stuart Broad and England left frustrated — but Australia stand reveals Ashes lesson

Stuart Broad offered a grin and a wink to his old partner James Anderson after a towering six off Mitchell Starc provoked a roar from the Oval crowd. England’s most prolific Ashes bowler was revelling in his role with the bat: an entertainer foremost, then a legendary English cricketer.

Broad left English cricket reeling with his shock announcement to retire on Saturday evening, confirming his intent to bring the curtain down on a magnificent career packed with 600 Test wickets. The stage was set for the swashbuckling quick to inspire victory in the fifth Test and secure a 2-2 draw from what has been a gripping, fiercely competitive series.

Broad has always relished tormenting his opponents, yet day four’s script was gleefully chewed up and spat out by old foe David Warner, who has represented 15 of his 150 Ashes victims. The party atmosphere fizzled out with every diligently-played ball from Warner and teammate Usman Khawaja, who combined for their largest partnership of the series – concluding play at 135-0 before the covers came on at 2:42pm, and the rain prevented any more action.

By Jack Rathborn at The Oval:

[31 July 2023 09:36 · Mike Jones]

Stuart Broad’s bittersweet Ashes farewell leaves England searching for one final ‘fairytale’

Sunday at the Oval was supposed to be Stuart Broad’s final heroic farewell, but the day ended on a bittersweet note, with his old rival David Warner standing firm, before the rain fell in the afternoon.

The build-up was immense. Broad must have expected something similar when he announced his impending retirement after play on day three, but as he warmed up to a montage of his greatest hits England fans would have thought that surely he could strike again.

The stage was set, the trumpets were warmed up in preparation, the fans all trickled in, people were posting their favourite Broad memories across social media, but instead it was Australia who had the last laugh.

By Sonia Twigg at The Oval:

[31 July 2023 09:31 · Mike Jones]

England vs Australia, fifth test

It’s never simple with England. For three days they controlled this fifth and final Ashes test and looked to be heading towards a series draw.

On the evening of the third day, Stuart Broad announced his retirement from all levels of professional cricket and said that this test will be his last one. It was an emotional and surprising announcement, Broad has been an entertainer and a superstar for England but at least he’d be signing off with a likely victory at the Oval.

Now, that may not be the case.

On a rain-affected fourth day, Broad and James Anderson came out to bat and added just six runs - Broad smashing his last ever ball in test cricket over the ropes - before Australia got to work chasing down a huge total of 384 runs.

David Warner and Usman Khawaja were watchful but the pitch offered little help to the England bowlers who were unable to make any inroads before the rain came down to halt play.

Australia reached 135-0, both openers passed fifty and there is a real chance they could upset Broad’s farewell party and knock off a record total at the Oval to claim a series win.

England know what they have to do. They need to take 10 wickets on the final day, they need to have some luck and above all they need to give Stuart Broad the magical send-off his career deserves.

Fairytales don’t often happen in sport but they are glorious when they do. Can England ensure Broad gets his fairytale ending today?