5th Test Played at Kia Oval, London, England from 27-31 July 2023
Brief Scorecard
England 1st Innings: 283 All Out in 54.4 Overs (Harry Brook 85 /91, Ben Duckett 41/41, Chris Woakes 36/36, Moeen Ali 34/47, Michell Strac 4/82, Todd Murphy 2/22, Josh Hazelwood 2/54)
England 2nd Innings: 395 All Out in 81.5 Overs (Joe Root 91/106, Jonny Bairstow 78/103, Jack Crawley 73/76, Ben Duckett 42/55, Ben Stokes 42/67, Mitchell Starc 4/100, Todd Murphy 4/110)
Australia 1st Innings 295 All Out in 103.1 Overs (Steve Smith 71/123, Usman Khawaja 47/157, Pat Cummins 36/86, Todd Murphy 34/39, Chris Woakes 3/61, Joe Root 2/20, Suart Broad 2/49 and Mark Wood 2/62)
Australia 2nd Innings 334 All Out in 94.4 Overs (Usman Khawaja 72, David Warner 60, Steve Smith 54, Travis Head 43, Alex Carey 28, Chris Woakes 4/50, Moeen Ali 3/76, Stuart Broad 2/62)
England Won By 49 Runs
The Ashes Result 2-2
Player of the match: Chris Woakes
Player of the series: Mitchell Starc and Chris Woakes
Finally, the very exciting and absorbing Ashes 2023 came to an end with host England deservingly winning the 5th test by 49 runs leveled the series 2-2.
Australia winning the well contested first two tests forged ahead 2-0. England bounced back brilliantly winning the third. The fourth test could be won by England had not the rain washed out the last two days of the match. The 5th and the final test again witnessed see-saw battle of nerves. England keeping their nerves cool finally won by 49 runs. Honors were even.
Australia by virtue of being the holder of the Ashes kept the urn with them. The Oval test witnessed the swan song of one of best English pace bowler Stuart Broad. Perhaps two other greats of the game Steve Smith and David Warner also appeared for the last time in test cricket in England. All will agree that the outcome of the series was fair and square. None of the sides deserved to lose.
There was very little to choose between the two sides when Australia responding to England first innings score of 283 was all out 295. England set a challenging target of 384 batting exceedingly well for 395 in their flamboyant style. Australia with almost two days of the test left had an opportunity to win the test and the series.
Brilliant English pacer, the top ticket taker of the Ashes series Stuart Broad announced retirement on day three. It suddenly grew into a test which England became desperate to win. Australia was favorably placed at stumps of the rain affected 4th day at 135/0 . The 5th day started with all three possibilities. Suddenly sky became overcast, Woakes and Broad started swinging prodigiously. Warner and Khawaja were removed very early. Labuschagne also failed. Steve Smith and Travis adding 95 runs for the fourth wicket partnership resurrected the innings a little bit. But Moeen Ali (3/76) joining hands with Chris Woakes (4/50) won the test for England. Stuart Broad in his last test also chipped in taking 2/62.
The series ended 2-2 . Cricket admirers will agree with me that the outcome of this very evenly contested Ashes 2023 was very fair. Neither side deserved to lose. The first three tests could swing anyway. England could have won the 4th test if not rain ruined the last two days. The 5th witnessed even contest. It was also fair that England won the last test of one of their proud son Stuart Broad against their traditional rival.
England strategy of playing the test matches in the flamboyant manner which they call Basball will soon become contagious. There is no harm playing positively and playing to win. Test cricket will get new lease of life at the age of dominating white ball cricket.
BDST: 0935 HRS, AUG 01, 2023
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