Root leads run-spree as England press for Ashes-levelling win, Broad announces retirement

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.

A late flurry of wickets, with Mitchell Starc taking 4-94 after a pounding by England's top order, gave Australia a glimmer of hope.

But some of the biggest cheers of the day came when last man James Anderson got off the mark by reverse sweeping Todd Murphy for four and then next ball conventionally sweeping the off-spinner for another boundary.

Nevertheless, England's current advantage means Australia already would have to achieve the joint ninth-highest total to win in the fourth innings of a Test if they are to pull off an improbable victory.

After Zak Crawley, who made a fine 73, and Harry Brook fell in quick succession, England were 222-4.

But Bairstow, one of the stars of the 'Bazball' era, maintained the aggressive run-rate with 34 off 35 balls as England reached tea on 265-4.

Bairstow went to fifty with a rasping cover-drive off Josh Hazlewood -- his seventh boundary in 60 balls faced.

Root, 61 not out at tea, moved into the 90s with an elegant cover-driven four off Australia captain Pat Cummins.

There was no second century of the series for Root following his unbeaten 118 in the first Test at Edgbaston. He was bowled between bat and pad by a Murphy off-break that kept low.

Bairstow,