Anurag Kumar
Australia failed to win a series on English soil for the first time since 2001, as England secured a 49-run victory on a rain-affected final day at the Oval to level the series at 2-2. Stuart Broad ended his career on a high note by collecting the final two wickets of the game.
Broad concludes his tenure with 167 Tests and 604 wickets. Despite the result, Australia retains the urn, as the drawn series means the trophy remains in Australia’s possession. Australia won the 2021/22 series at home by a score of 4-0.
England capitalised on the overcast conditions on the third morning to break the 140-run opening partnership between David Warner and Usman Khawaja. Australia’s score changed from 140-0 to 169-3. Later, Travis Head and Steve Smith combined for 95 runs. The second rain delay halted Australia’s momentum, as they lost five wickets and 30 runs in the following 30 deliveries. Some lower order resiliency was insufficient for the visitors, as Broad’s wizardry carried England to victory. Australia’s Smith, Warner, and Khawaja all achieved fifty runs in the fourth inning.
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In the first inning of the match, Harry Brook’s swift score of 85 runs contributed to England’s total of 283 runs. In the second inning, however, Australia seized a 12-run lead thanks to Smith’s solid 71.
The England batters had a field day in the second inning, scoring 395 runs. Zak Crawley (72), Joe Root (91), and Jonny Bairstow (78) attacked the Australian spinners, who appeared to be at a loss for answers.
This series victory marks Australia’s fourth consecutive retention of the urn, following victories at home in 2017 and 2021. The previous two series in England ended in draws.
