London: Stuart Broad (4/62) and Jack Leach (4/49) took four wickets each as England produced a fine display in the field on day four to level the series with a fifth Test victory by 135 runs at the Oval.
Chasing 399 runs to win, Australia were restricted at 263, despite an exceptional century from Mathew Wade (117, 166b, 17×4, 1×6), as wickets tumbled at the other end after he was stumped by Jonny Bairstow in the final session.
An entertaining series was brought to a close with an acrobatic catch from Joe Root to dismiss Josh Hazlewood extending Australia’s 18-year wait for a series victory in England.
England started on a rousing note as Broad picked up both the openers Marcus Harris (9) and David Warner (11) early. The dismissals allowed Australia’s standout pair of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuchagne (14) in the middle.
However, with Labuchagne falling to Leach and Broad picking up the former Aussie skipper for his lowest score in this series of 23, England’s victory was on cards.
But Wade who had a torrid time before in the series had some other plans as the left-hander picked up gaps with ease keeping the Kangaroos in the hunt for an incredible victory. Even the fiery bowling from Jofra Archer and Broad also failed to breach Wade’s stumps.
But the wicketkeeper-batsman lacked support from his teammates as he one by one fall to the pumped-up English bowling attack. While Mitchell Marsh (24) fell to Joe Root, Aussie captain Tim Paine (21) continued his dismal form falling in front of Leach.
Hope was still there, but with Wade being stumped by Bairstow off the bowling of Root, it was a matter of time for England to polish of the tail.
Brief scores: England 294 & 329 beat Australia 225 & 263 (Mathew Wade 117; Stuart Broad 4/62, Jack Leach 4/49) by 135 runs.
