In a thrilling encounter, England emerged victorious in the 5th Ashes Test against Australia by a narrow margin of 49 runs. The nail-biting win not only added another memorable chapter to the historic rivalry but also leveled the five-match series at 2-2.
In the first innings, England posted 283 runs, with Harry Brook impressing with a fine knock of 85, while Mitchell Starc claimed four crucial wickets. Australia responded with 295 runs, led by Steve Smith’s 71, and Chris Woakes took three wickets for England. In their second innings, England set a challenging target of 383 runs, with Joe Root top-scoring with 91 and Starc once again picking up four wickets.
However, Australia’s valiant effort in the chase fell short at 334 runs, with Usman Khawaja contributing 72 and Chris Woakes taking four key wickets to seal England’s victory. In this article, we will discuss the top 3 talking points of the fifth and final Ashes Test of the series.
1. Ben Stokes’ bizarre review:
In a dramatic turn of events during the last day of the 5th Ashes Test, England skipper Ben Stokes found himself in a bizarre review situation. At the stroke of lunch on Monday, Stokes attempted to catch Steve Smith off Moeen Ali’s delivery, which hit the glove of the batsman while defending. Stokes successfully held the ball, but upon landing, his hand accidentally hit his right knee, causing the ball to slip out.
England, hopeful of a breakthrough, sent the decision for review after the on-field umpire gave it not out. However, the third umpire ruled that Stokes wasn’t fully in control of the ball during the catch. Leading to the decision standing in favor of Smith, who stayed in, not out. The unexpected incident added to the gripping drama of the Test match.
2. Stuart Broad’s historic farewell:
During the fifth Ashes Test against Australia, England pacer Stuart Broad bid a historic farewell to international cricket. At the end of Day 3, he announced his retirement, leaving a lasting impact on the game. In a remarkable feat, Broad became the first player to hit the last six of the innings in his last Test match and also take the final wicket, adding to the significance of his farewell.
With an illustrious career spanning 167 matches, Broad accumulated an impressive tally of 604 wickets, showcasing his skill and longevity in the sport. His retirement marks the end of an era in English cricket, and fans and fellow players alike celebrated his extraordinary contributions to the game. Stuart Broad’s farewell will be etched in cricketing history as a memorable moment of an iconic career.
Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins, along with spinner Tod Murphy, showcased tremendous resilience in the first innings to propel their team to a crucial lead. When they came to bat, Australia was struggling at 239/8, trailing the hosts by 44 runs. In a spirited partnership, Murphy and Cummins added 49 runs for the ninth wicket. Cummins contributed 36 runs, while Murphy scored an important 34.
Their impressive collaboration allowed Australia to secure a lead of 12 runs in the first inning. It was not a big lead, but it was crucial for Australia’s morale. The significant contribution from the lower-order batters played a vital role in setting the tone for the match, and their fighting spirit served as an inspiration for the rest of the team.