Ashes 2019: Joe Denly's 94 puts England in control against Australia

Joe Denly narrowly missed out on a maiden century but still helped England into a match-winning position on the third day of the final Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval.

Two days after his wife gave birth to their second child, opener Denly made 94 to all but secure his place on England's winter tours.

After being dropped on nought on the second evening, the Kent man also should have been given lbw on 54 to Mitchell Marsh, only for Australia to opt against a review.

He was eventually caught at slip off Peter Siddle after sharing a third-wicket stand of 127 with Ben Stokes, who oozed class for his 67.

Jos Buttler sparkled in his 47 before a late Australia improvement left England 313-8, 382 ahead.

• A new baby and 94 in the Ashes - Denly's special 48 hours

• TMS podcast: Denly guides England towards victory

With two days remaining and the pitch beginning to show signs of turn, England are primed to level the series at 2-2.

Though Australia have already retained the Ashes, defeat here would deny them a first series win in England since 2001.

England are also looking to avoid a first home series loss to anyone in five years.

England punish sloppy Aussies

On a glorious day in south London, England took advantage of the benign conditions to put together one of their best batting displays of the Test summer.

They have, though, been helped by some uncharacteristic Australian generosity.

Tim Paine's decision to field first is looking increasingly baffling, so too the selection of Siddle over Mitchell Starc. The tourists have dropped five catches and continually failed in their use of the review system.

But that is to take nothing away from Denly, who had already batted at number three and four this summer before being asked to open.

By making his third half-century in as many matches, he has suggested he has a future at this level.

There were fractious moments throughout the day. Matthew Wade and Joe Root exchanged words, as did David Warner and Stokes, who was goaded by the close fielders. Nathan Lyon chatted constantly.

The home supporters responded on their team's behalf, especially to any Australian fielder who ventured towards the boundary.

The England batting, Aussie baiting and late arrival of cult hero Jack Leach gave the crowd one more enjoyable day in a memorable summer that is almost at an end.

• Relive England's dominant display on third day of final Ashes Test - highlights & analysis

Denly's gifts

Denly's wife Stacy was in the early stages of labour as he was making 14 on the first morning. He left the ground that night and returned just after lunch on Friday as the father to a second child, a baby girl.

Australia helped him celebrate with a pair of let-offs, which Denly accepted by playing sweet strokes down the ground and square of the wicket on the off side.

He nimbly used his feet against off-spinner Lyon, including lofting a straight six, and was dogged enough to survive some painful blows from the fast bowlers.

Denly set the tone for Rory Burns and Joe Root to play freely in the morning, but after both fell to Lyon, Stokes arrived to continue his fine form.

The Durham all-rounder also benefited from being dropped - by slip Steve Smith off Lyon on seven - and went on to sweep the same bowler for six and swat another savage maximum off Marnus Labuschagne's leg-spin.

Stokes was bowled by a beauty from Lyon that turned sharply, while Denly got an equally good one from Siddle that nipped away and resulted in an edge to Smith.

He departed with his head bowed, eventually bringing himself to raise his bat in acknowledgement of the standing ovation.

Australia lose sight of series win

Australia will leave the UK with the urn for the first time in 18 years, but skipper Paine said the series win meant so much to them that this match was a "grand final". This was the day it slipped away.

On top of the toss, selection, drops and failed reviews, their superb new-ball pairing of Hazlewood and Pat Cummins had a rare ineffective day.

Lyon is struggling with damage to his spinning finger - not that he will get sympathy from England supporters. He did have Burns caught behind, Root held at slip and, later, produced the ripper to account for Stokes.

He was also the bowler when the tourists missed another opportunity to use the review system. Buttler could have been lbw on 19.

It took until the dying embers of the day for Australia to sparkle. First Smith leapt full length to take Chris Woakes one-handed at second slip then, next ball, deep square leg Labuschagne ran and dived forward to hold a pulling Buttler millimetres above the turf.

'Denly has proven a lot of people wrong' - what they said

Former England captain Michael Vaughan: "I wrote Joe Denly off, many did. But I like players that have that inner strength to prove people wrong. He got dropped on nought last night and he must've been thinking he had to make it count.

"He played so well. He kept his hands a bit closer to him and when there are quality bowlers and a bit of movement, if you play with hands away from your body, you're going to get found out.

"He played with more control and had a forward defence.

"Australia have looked tired and sloppy. England have capitalised on Tim Paine's decision at the toss and played a very good game of cricket so far."

England batsman Joe Denly, speaking to TMS: "It was good, nice to get that score and disappointing not to get to the milestone.

"But we're in a great position going into day four and that's the main thing.

"I wasn't thinking about my place on the winter tours, I was just trying to occupy the crease and if I did that scoring opportunities would come."