England took complete control on day three of the fifth and final Ashes Test, amassing a massive lead of 377 runs against Australia at The Oval. With their current score of 389 for 9, Ben Stokes’ men are yet to declare, putting Australia in a precarious position. The Australian team must either win or draw the match to secure their first Ashes series victory in England since 2001, as they currently trail 2-1 in the series.
During the second session, England’s star batsman Joe Root survived a close Decision Review System (DRS) call. The Australians appealed for an lbw decision against Root, believing that a delivery from Josh Hazlewood struck his front pad before hitting the bat. However, the DRS review showed that the ball was indeed going to hit the off stump, but less than 50 percent of it had impacted in line. Umpire Joel Wilson’s decision to declare Root not out was upheld, and he went on to make 91 runs, contributing significantly to England’s substantial lead.
Ben Duckett, who scored 42 runs off 55 balls, was eventually dismissed by Mitchell Starc, caught by Alex Carey. Despite the loss of wickets, England maintained their dominant position, steadily building their lead over Australia.
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It remains to be seen when England will declare their innings and put Australia to bat. The pressure is mounting on the Australian team, as they face a monumental task of achieving a victory or a draw to claim the Ashes series in England. It has been nearly two decades since Australia last secured an Ashes series victory on English soil, and their hopes are hanging in the balance.
As the match progresses, both teams will need to strategize and execute their plans meticulously. The final day of the fifth Ashes Test promises to be the most crucial, with everything on the line for Australia. England will aim to wrap up their innings and leave their opponents with a challenging target to chase.
The Ashes has been a tightly contested series, showcasing the best of cricket between two fierce rivals. While England dominated day three, there is still a glimmer of hope for Australia. The final day’s play could hold some surprises and twists, making it a thrilling conclusion to this historic series.
Cricket enthusiasts and fans of both teams will be eagerly awaiting the outcome of the fifth Ashes Test, as the fate of the coveted Ashes urn hangs in the balance. The battle between these two cricketing powerhouses will undoubtedly go down in history as a memorable chapter in the annals of the Ashes rivalry.
