‘Wonderful game of cricket’ – Fans react as England beat Australia by 49 runs at Oval to level series 2-2
England beat Australia at the Oval in the fifth Test of the Ashes 2023 by 49 runs. It was a fitting farewell for Stuart Broad who announced that he would be playing his last Test for England and also at the Ashes. Broad picked up the last two wickets to fall on Day 5. The right-arm pacer ended up with 604 wickets in Test cricket. On Day 5, Australia needed 249 runs to win and England needed 10 wickets Australia continued with Khawaja and Warner taking the attack to the English bowlers. But things changed when Warner fell with the score at 140-1.
Soon after Khawaja departed having made 72 off 145 balls with eight fours. Marnus Labuschangne did not have the best of outings as he was caught by Zak Crawley off Mark Wood. Steven Smith and Travis Head formed a much-needed partnership to get back Australia in the hunt. Smith made 54 off 94 balls with nine fours. Travis Headmade 43 off 70 balls with six fours. But Chris Woakes picked up Smith. Head was sent back to the pavilion by Moeen Ali.
Chris Woakes picked up four wickets for England in the fourth innings
The Kangaroos would have banked on Mitchell Marsh to get a big score but it did not happen as the all-rounder was dismissed for 6 off 9 balls with one four to Moeen. In the end, The England bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals. Australia could not find their way back into the match. There was brief resistance from Alex Carey and Todd Murphy for some time but in the end, it did not make a difference to the result.
Woakes and Moeen picked up four and three wickets each in their respective spells. In the first innings, The Three Lions made 283. The Kangaroos made 295 in reply. In the second innings, England changed gears and went the Bazball way Zak Crawley made 73 off 76 balls with nine fours. Joe Root made 91 off 106 balls with 11 fours and one six. Jonny Bairstow also hit a very fast-paced knock of 78 off 103 balls with eleven fours. Mitchell Starc and Todd Murphy took four wickets each in their respective spells for Australia.
The series has been wonderful to watch and it has thrilled the Test match enthusiasts. Though the series was very closely fought, Australia have retained the urn and the Ashes. The next Ashes series on Australian soil will also be very interesting to watch. England will be without one of their prime bowlers in the next Ashes.
Let us take a look at the reactions on Twitter:
We’ve seen some terrific cricket but the enduring memory of the 2023 Ashes series will be the swivel-eyed loons in the Long Room at Lords.
— LaurieOakes (@LaurieOakes) July 31, 2023
Ashes drawn 2-2. England were the dominant side and would have won 3-2 if not for rain. Now think of the overreaction and criticism of BazBall that came after the two defeats (one with a narrow margin). Pro tip: never make opinions based on a small sample size. #Ashes2023
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) July 31, 2023
AUS will be bitterly disappointed at not winning the series
And rightly so having been 2-nil up
They were outplayed in the last three Tests
But …
Winning the Test World Championship
And retaining the Ashes
Makes it a successful tour
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) July 31, 2023
This was the greatest ever Ashes series that I watched because I didn't watch the 2005 one. Although, BGT 2020-21 will always be the best ever Test series.
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) July 31, 2023
That was the best ever Ashes series, and this guy is one of the best ever England players & captains. Congrats @benstokes38 – you led from the front and you & your team thrilled & entertained us all.
Love love LOVE your attacking philosophy. 👍 pic.twitter.com/ik44QWIBGf— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 31, 2023
This "2-2 Ashes result, but England were the better side and deserved to win" discourse also stands true for the India-England series.
2-2, but India really really deserved to win. 2-1 in my books, with the one-off Test.
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) July 31, 2023
That’s been the best series I have had the pleasure to work on .. both teams deserve huge credit for the drama & entertainment across the 5 Tests .. Test cricket is the greatest format & this series will remind everyone around the world why .. #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 31, 2023
What an EPIC Ashes series. I love watching this England Test team play. Thank you for the entertainment 🙌🏻 #Ashes2023
— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) July 31, 2023
Congratulations to Australia and England on a fantastic series 👏🏻👏🏻 I guess the lesson here is there's no one way to play cricket. As long as you get the job done. #Ashes pic.twitter.com/mVEeqz60mv
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 31, 2023
From being 2-0 down to drawing level, England's tenacity in this #Ashes series is a tribute to the beauty of Test cricket. The ability to rebound demonstrates the depth of character and the mental fortitude this format demands. Mother Nature might have denied us a series result,… pic.twitter.com/oOn9XgV6BC
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 31, 2023
