Restart at 16:20 BSTpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Big news to start my stint. We've got word that play will resume at 16:20 BST if there is no more rain!
This thrilling Ashes series may yet get the finale it deserves.
Summary
Broad takes last two wickets to fall as England draw series 2-2
Victory means Australia still haven't won series in UK since 2001
Broad ends stubborn stand between Murphy & Carey after switching bails again
Australia collapse from 264-3 to 334 all out
Four wickets for Woakes and three for Moeen
Holders Australia had already retained Ashes
Restart at 16:20 BSTpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Postpublished at 15:58 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Thanks, Ffion. An impressive stint despite not a ball being bowled.
Ffion's Ashes is done but we're still hopeful that there is still some cricket to be played in the series itself.
A reminder that England need seven wickets to win. Australia need another 146 runs but a draw would be enough to give them a 2-1 series win.
Postpublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Right. We're five minutes away from the inspection and I can confirm... it is NOT raining.
And that means my Ashes is done and dusted.
To bring you the news, and hopefully an evening of more excitement, is Sam Drury.
Postpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match SpecialI think we've got our squad: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley and Tawanda Muyeye as the opening options, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith - that feels like a strong seven batters.
James Rew is our wicketkeeper. We've recalled Sam Curran. Our spinners are Rehan Ahmed and Jack Carson.
Our fast bowlers Sam Cook, Ollie Robinson, Matt Potts, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue.
I've chosen our captain, it's Ollie Pope. That is our 16.
Postpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Right, hopefully we'll have good news for you in about 10 minutes' time. So let's get the final England squad for the Ashes in 2027 from our TMS colleagues...
Postpublished at 15:47 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket writer at The Oval
Image source, Getty ImagesRehan Ahmed has got to be a definite in this squad. I think there is a reasonable chance he could be batting at seven for England in four years and giving them options.
They could have four seamers below him or another spinner below him as well.
Postpublished at 15:44 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special
Image source, Getty ImagesWe're talking about someone in Jofra Archer who has bowled so little in red-ball cricket over the last two years.
When he has tried to come back to red-ball cricket, his elbow has flared up quite badly so I wouldn't be very surprised if, in the next year or so, he's just a T20 bowler.
That would be very sad and I hope I'm proved completely wrong.
Postpublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
The covers are starting to come off...
Inspection at 16:00 BSTpublished at 15:38 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
News!
There will be a pitch inspection at 16:00 BST if there is no further rain.
get involved Get Involved - England's 2027 Ashes XIpublished at 15:35 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
#bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Tom Prest, Jacob Bethell, Henry Brookes are definitely three for the next generation for me.
Keith
Sam Cook has to be part of the conversation. Such a wily bowler, economical, good variations and takes bucketloads of wickets. Not sure what else he needs to do to get a look in.
Kieran
George Balderson, Lancashire. Genuine all-rounder, and former England U19 Captain.
Chris Murphy
Postpublished at 15:31 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesRight, it does look like it's stopped raining.
But every time we start to think that, it starts again, so I won't get your hopes up too much yet. The forecast is here.
Postpublished at 15:28 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at The OvalThe groundstaff are out although they're not doing that much work yet, with a little bit of rain still falling. The supersopper is going back and forth over the covers.
Tea - Aus 238-3published at 15:25 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Tea has now been taken.
But, in the words of BBC Test Match Special's Henry Moeran: "With weather set to clear, we could be in for a monster session to finish the Ashes."
Is there yet another twist in the tale?
get involved Get Involved - England's 2027 Ashes XIpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
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Jon: What does Sam Hain have to do?!
James: Ethan Bamber of Middlesex - a quality swing bowler young enough to be around for ages.
William: Tom Lawes from Surrey, as well as Jordan Cox who has the talent to thrive at Essex this year.
Postpublished at 15:19 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on BBC Test Match SpecialGus Atkinson, I like. He got me out twice. He's a hit the pitch and the bat hard bowler. What surprised me about him is that you look at him bowl and feel there is a lot more in the tank.
He doesn't look like he uses that much effort to get the ball down at a decent lick. Speaking to him, it look easy but he is striving for as much pace as he can get. It looks like there is a bit more untapped pace.
He also has raw skills to be able to move the ball. A bit like when I first saw Mark Wood. Obviously, everyone was raving about this guy from Durham bowling quick but we got him in the nets in England, he was able to swing it and he's developed his skills a lot since.
Postpublished at 15:16 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
It looks like the rain has got a little lighter but it will take a fair amount of time to get these covers off.
The ground staff are trudging around optimistically.
A reminder of what it will mean for the series if this game is rained off: Australia will win the Ashes 2-1 and it will be their first series win in England since 2001.
There are no reserve days, so that will be it for the series.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
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Wizard of Fire: Tawanda Muyeye is one to keep an eye on... been one of the few bright sparks for Kent this year.
Michael: How old is Ben Foakes - will he be around in four years? If not, James Rew. Also think Gus Atkinson will be in the bowling mix. As for spinners I think Amir Virdi has the talent but not getting chance to play.
Postpublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at The OvalThe rain is still falling but has eased a little. The crowd certainly going anywhere.
Could the time lost from the match take the Australia win out of the equation?
Postpublished at 15:06 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Daniel Norcross
BBC Test Match SpecialJamie Smith is a nailed-on certainty to be playing cricket for England in four years, for me.
get involved Get Involved - England's 2027 Ashes XIpublished at 15:03 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
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Rob: For your wicketkeeper look no further than the next Yorkshire run machine off the production line, Finlay Bean.
Matt: Tom Abell surely has to be part of this conversation.
Andy French: I second the suggestion of John Turner. Excellent season in T20. Early days in red-ball cricket but excellent potential.