Australia 492-9 declared and 111-6 declared drew with England 377 and 206-5 (England lead series 3-0)
It was a final day to the Test and Series to remember as the game match finished in an amazing draw. It looked as though England would bat out the final day but Australia managed to bowl them out for 377. Australia decided to go for victory and raced to 111-6 at Tea before declaring. In a brilliant turn of events England now needed 227 runs off 44 overs to win. However, with the game tensely poised with England needing 21 runs from 24 balls the umpires took the players off for bad light to end the game.
The day started with rain delaying proceedings but the players managed to get on half an hour later. England put on 100 runs up to lunch but Bell, Prior and Broad were all dismissed. England's innings was brought to an end shortly after lunch as Faulker took three quick wickets to bowl England out for 377. Australia led by 115 runs going into their second innings and they increased their lead to 226 runs at Tea. Broad took four wickets as Australia struggled to 111-6 with Brad Haddin edging behind for a golden duck. Clarke really wanted to win and at Tea decided to declare on 111-6 which meant England needed 227 runs to win with 44 overs to go.
Root edged behind as Harris reduced England to 22-1 before Cook was dismissed lbw by Faulkner. Pietersen and Trott got the crowd roaring as they raced to their fifties as England looked set to chase down their target. However, two quick wickets saw England reduced from 163-2 to 170-4 as Pietersen and Trott both lost their wickets. Bell was run out for 17 by Starc in which was the last piece of action of the day as bad light stopped play with England 206-5 and only needing 21 runs from 24 balls.
My Opinion:
What a day of cricket that was. Very entertaining until the umpires made a ridiculous decision to stop play for bad light. There were only four more overs to bowl and a winner would have been produced. Faulkner and Broad had good bowling days as they both produced at least three wickets each. Have to give credit to Clarke for declaring at Tea to provide a nail biting finish. It looked as though Pietersen and Trott were going to chase down the runs but Faulkner and Harris changed the innings by taking their wickets. Bell and Woakes could have chased the final runs down but they were put under pressure from the poor light. Overall a draw was deserved but still a great shame that the umpires took the players off. A great Test Series and a great Ashes battle. I have really enjoyed the five test matches and delighted to have seen England win 3-0. Bring on the Aussies in the winter!
Match Guide: Key Moments:
Morning Session:
11.00: Rain delays the start of play.
11.30: Play resumes.
11.34: 251-4, Bell 29*, Woakes 19*.
11.52: 267-4, 50 partnership between Bell 40* and Woakes 23*.
11.55: 269-5, Woakes 25 (70), 5 fours, caught Clarke, Harris.
12.26: 299-6, Bell 45 (143), 5 fours, caught Haddin, Faulkner.
12.33: 303-6, Prior 29*, Broad 0*.
12.50: 315-7, Broad 9 (16), 1 four, bowled by Starc.
13.05: Lunch, 350-7, Prior 35*, Swann 24*.
Afternoon Session:
13.53: 363-8, Prior 47 (57), 8 fours, caught Starc, Faulkner.
14.01: 368-9, Anderson 4 (10), 1 four, caught Haddin, Faulkner.
14.17: 377 all out, Swann 34 (24), 5 fours and 1 six, bowled by Faulkner. Kerrigan 1*(12).Australia lead by 115 runs.
Australia Second Innings:
15.04: 34-1, Warner 12 (28), 2 fours, caught and bowled by Anderson.
15.17: 44-2, Watson 26 (32), 2 fours and 1 six, caught Pietersen, Swann.
15.24: 50-3, Haddin 0 (1), caught Prior, Broad.
15.38: 67-4, Faulkner 22 (22), 1 four and 1 six, caught Prior, Broad.
15.52: 83-5, Smith 7 (12), caught Swann, Broad.
15.55: 85-6, Harris 1 (2), bowled by Broad.
16.09: 110-6, Clarke 22*, Starc 12*.
16.14: Tea, 111-6, Clarke 22*, Starc 13*.
16.20: Australia declare on 111-6. England require 227 runs from 44 overs to win.
Evening Session:
England Second Innings:
16.52: 22-1, Root 11 (17), 2 fours, caught Haddin, Harris.
17.22: 53-1, Cook 20*, Trott 21*.
17.39: 73-1, 50 partnership between Cook 32* and Trott 29*.
17.53: 86-2, Cook 34 (53), 4 fours, lbw Faulkner.
18.07: 100-2, Pietersen 12*, Trott 42*.
18.29: 139-2, 50 partnership between Trott 47* and Pietersen 46* off 49 balls.
18.40: 145-2, 50 for Pietersen off 36 balls.
18.49: 150-2, Trott 49*, Pietersen 52*.
18.54: 159-2, 50 for Trott off 79 balls.
19.01: 163-3, Pietersen 62 (55), 10 fours, caught Warner, Harris.
19.09: 170-4, Trott 59 (87), 6 fours, lbw Faulkner.
19.34: 206-4, Bell 17*, Woakes 11*.
19.35: 206-5, Bell 17 (17), 1 four, run out by Starc.
19.36: 206-5, Bad light stops play with four overs remaining. Match ends in a draw. England win the Ashes Series 3-0.
Player of the Day: Kevin Pietersen for giving the crowd something to cheer.
Bowler of the Day:Stuart Broad took four wickets.
Batsmen of the Day: Jonathan Trott for scoring 59 runs.
Highlight of the Day: Michael Clarke declaring at Tea to open up all match ending possibilities.
Disappointment of the Day: Bad light stopping play!
Player of the Test: Shane Watson for hitting 176 runs.
Bowler of the Test: Stuart Broad for two spells of brilliant wicket taking bowling.
Batsmen of the Test: Shane Watson for his 176.
Highlight of the Test: Michael Clarke declaring at tea on day five.
England player of the Series: Ian Bell was outstanding for England with key centuries.
Australia player of the Series: Ryan Harris came into the bowling attack and really improved their side.
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