Watch: Joe Root's One-Handed Blinder Leaves Fans And Experts Stunned During Ashes 2023

29.07.2023 - 09:13 sports.ndtv.com

Joe Root held a brilliant slip catch to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne as Australia ground their way to 115-2 at lunch on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Friday.

Labuschagne was the only man out in an attritional morning session that ended with Australia still 168 runs behind England's first-innings total of 283.

Opener Usman Khawaja dropped anchor to be 47 not out off 152 balls, with star batsman Steve Smith, adding some impetus, unbeaten on 13.

Australia, as the holders, are already assured of retaining the Ashes at 2-1 up, and only need to avoid defeat at The Oval to secure their first Test series win away to England in 22 years.

cricket Australia Cricket Team England Cricket Team Ashes 2023 experts watch Joe Root Mark Wood Jonny Bairstow Steve Smith Marnus Labuschagne Australia

England beat Australia by 49 runs to win the fifth Test at The Oval on Monday and end the Ashes series all square at 2-2. Australia, chasing 384 to win, collapsed from 264-3 to 334 all out, with England's retiring paceman Stuart Broad taking the final two wickets in the form of Todd Murphy and Alex Carey. Australia suffered a dramatic collapse in the last session, reduced to 294-8 as England's Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes ripped through their batting order at The Oval. Rain kept the players off the field for about two hours before Australia, who as the holders have already retained the Ashes at 2-1 up, resumed on 238-3.

England vs Australia 5th Ashes Test Day 4 Live Score: England Set Huge Target Of 384 For Australia

ENG vs AUS, 5th Ashes Test, Live: England could only add six runs from their overnight score of 389/9 as they were bowled out for 395 in their second innings at The Oval. Stuart Broad remained unbeaten on eight on his final Test appearance. Australia wll look to chase 384 with more nearly two days of play left. Earlier, Joe Root (91) and Jonny Bairstow (78) were both in superb touch during a fifth-wicket stand of 110 as they put Australia's bowlers to the sword. After stumps on Saturday, Stuart Broad made a shock announcement that he is retiring from cricket after the end of the Ashes. (Live Scorecard)

Joe Root Surpasses Rahul Dravid, Brian Lara; Equals Sachin Tendulkar For Historic Feat

England batter Joe Root on Saturday achieved a huge milestone during Day 3 of the ongoing fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval. Root continued his rich vein of form as he put England in control of the proceedings, smashing a quickfire 92 during his breathtaking partnership with Jonny Bairstown. Root, who narrowly missed out on his century after getting dismissed on 91, helped England score 389 runs in their second innings and take a lead of 377 runs.

England vs Australia, 5th Test, Day 3: Joe Root Leads Run-Spree As England Press For Ashes-Levelling Win

Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow combined for a sublime century partnership as England took a giant stride towards levelling the Ashes in the fifth Test at The Oval on Saturday. England, in a match they must win to square the series at 2-2, were 389-9 in their second innings at stumps on the third day -- a commanding lead of 377 runs. Root (91) and Bairstow (78) were both in superb touch during a fifth-wicket stand of 110, with the only sadness for a capacity home crowd the fact that neither Yorkshireman was able to complete an individual hundred.