Stuart Broad earns England Ashes series draw in fairytale finish after thrilling final day at The Oval

Stuart Broad retired in fairytale fashion as England denied Australia a first away Ashes win since 2001 with a thrilling victory on the final day of the fifth Test at The Oval.

At 264-3 in pursuit of 384, Australia looked favourites to claim the victory they needed to clinch the series 3-1.

But England roared into life following a three-hour rain delay, led by Chris Woakes (4-50) and Mooen Ali (3-76), both of whom took two wickets.

A 35-run stand between Todd Murphy (18) and Alex Carey (28) gave Australia hope, but Broad (2-62) took the final two wickets on his last appearance before retiring to seal victory.

The result means a memorable series finishes level at 2-2 and Australia, as defending champions, retain the urn.

"It was absolutely wonderful," Broad told Sky Sports.

"I thought Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali set the tone absolutely unbelievably. Woakesy picked up a couple of wickets, particularly Steve Smith, who has just been a wonderful player to play against all these years.

"Once we got a couple we really started to believe. The crowd were unbelievable. It was so loud and we just jumped on the back of that. To contribute to the team with two wickets is very special.

"When you make that decision [to retire] you wonder what your last ball will be so to take a wicket to win an Ashes Test match is pretty cool."

Australia started the final day of the series on 135-0, but soon lost their first wicket as David Warner was caught behind for 60.

Usman Khawaja (72) fell two overs later as he was trapped in front by Woakes.

When Mark Wood (1-34) had Marnus Labuschagne (13) caught at slip to leave Australia 169-3 it looked like the momentum was with England.

But Steve Smith (54) and Travis Head (43) countered with a partnership of 69 runs to put Australia 146 away from victory at lunch.

Smith should have been out when he gloved to Ben Stokes but the England captain dropped the ball during the celebration.

That was just before lunch, and players did not return to the field until 4pm after a lengthy rain delay.

The interruption looked to have dented chances of a win for either side, but Woakes and Ali ran through Australia’s batting in stunning fashion to swing the game in England’s favour.

Ali got the first breakthrough when he had Head caught at slip.

Smith then nicked to slip off Woakes before Jonny Bairstow took a brilliant catch to dismiss Mitchell Marsh off Ali.

Mitchell Starc lasted just two balls before he drove at a ball from Woakes and was caught at slip.

With the crowd in full voice, Australia captain Pat Cummins was the next to go, Ali picking up his third wicket.

Murphy and Carey threatened an unlikely victory push with a stand of 35, but Broad had his fairytale finish to wrap up the win.

First he had Murphy caught behind and then Carey, with Broad wheeling away in celebration after the last wicket of his career and leaping into the arms of Jimmy Anderson, whose own future is uncertain at the age of 41.

The next Ashes series takes place in Australia in late 2025.

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Heineken Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media