Ashes 2013: Joe Root says England could not score quickly

England opener Joe Root defended his side's slow progress on day three of the fifth Ashes Test, saying that it was "not viable" to score quickly.

England scored only 215 runs in 98.3 overs at the Oval as they replied to Australia's 492-9 declared.

"Obviously there's some sort of responsibility (to entertain) or no-one would come and watch, but it can't happen every game," said Root.

"With the way they bowled and the pitch it's not been viable to score quickly."

England came into the final Test of the summer having already won the series, leading 3-0. After starting Friday's play on 32 without loss, they crawled to 247-4 at stumps.

Despite some sections of the crowd growing unhappy at the slow scoring rate, Root - who top scored with 68 from 184 balls - was quick to point out that England will head to Australia this winter as Ashes holders.

He said: "We have to get the best possible outcome for England. People come to watch cricket for a number of reasons, but (the excitement level) is something we can't always control.

"We need to play the situation. Fair credit to Australia, they bowled pretty well and made it hard for us to score fluently.

"You always want to come out of a series with the best possible outcome, whether that be 4-0 or 3-0, that's always the target.

"If we can go away with 3-0, it will obviously stand us in good stead going to Australia (in the winter).

"We've played some hard cricket, it's not always easy to go out and score at four an over. Sometimes you have to accept that and play the situation as it is."

England bowler Stuart Broad later tweeted: "That was proper Test cricket today.

"We fought brilliantly, which is one of the reasons why we are a good team."