Ashes 2015: England still have desire, says Mark Wood

Mark Wood (left) took the wicket of Chris Rogers, who is playing in his final Test

Bowler Mark Wood rejected suggestions England took things easy on the first day of the fifth Test against Australia having already won the Ashes.

Australia reached 287-3 at The Oval after being asked to bat, as England's bowlers struggled.

By contrast, England wrapped up the previous two Tests inside three days for an unassailable 3-1 lead.

"This is the Ashes and you're representing your country. We've got that desire to win 4-1," Wood said.

David Warner's 85 and 43 from Chris Rogers saw Australia's openers put on 110, while Steve Smith (78) and Adam Voges (47) put the tourists on top before bad light stopped play.

'We can't take our foot off the gas'

Durham paceman Wood admitted it was a "tough" day, but insisted: "With the overheads this morning, it was the right decision to bowl.

"I thought we bowled all right as a group. A couple of nicks didn't carry, we just didn't get the wickets, now we've got that second new ball round the corner."

And he stressed England would not relent: "If it was the other way round Australia wouldn't let up, so we can't take our foot off the gas."

Wood, playing just his sixth Test match, added: "If we could have got a couple more wickets in that last session I'd have said it was an even day. But you never know, if we get two or three early then we could grab that momentum back."

'Today we batted well'

Warner felt Australia's performance was the difference between the two sides, as opposed to any perceived lack of effort on England's behalf.

"They've bowled fantastically well through this series, but today it just looked like they probably didn't hit their right lengths," he said.

"For a lot of the time out there I felt like they bowled just a fraction too short. In every other game they've bowled fantastically, put it up there and allowed us to try and drive. We've been getting the odd one away and then the nicks are coming.

"I won't speak on their behalf about their intensity but any time you're playing a game for your country you're always going to come out and give 100%. Today we batted well."

Australia captain Clarke is playing in his 115th and final Test

'Fantastic Clarke deserves respect'

Australia captain Michael Clarke, playing his final Test, was afforded a guard of honour by the England players on his way to the crease. He only managed 15 runs before departing, but Warner - who will become vice-captain - was pleased with the gesture.

"I think that's what he deserved, all the greats of the game deserve that credit," the opener said.

"He's been a fantastic captain, a fantastic leader and good team man for us, especially over the few years I've been part of his career.

"He thoroughly deserved that today and it was great respect from the English cricket team."

Stuart Broad was not the only bowler left wondering why England had failed to take more wickets

Ben Stokes claimed the scalp of Clarke but was otherwise a frustrated bowler

Steve Finn was wicketless from 20.4 overs on day one

Broad (left) and Ian Bell react to another near miss