Postpublished at 11:09 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Stuart Broad is going to open the bowling.
Broad to David Warner one last time.
This is emotional. Cricket as a lot of us know it is about to change.
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
Postpublished at 11:09 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Postpublished at 11:09 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match SpecialThe one thing I'm concerned about is that this Aussie batting line up hasn't really fired as a unit. If they do that today they knock England off. If England get a few wickets then they can get on top so it's beautifully poised.
Postpublished at 11:08 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
England are now making their way out onto the outfield.
No guard of honour or leading the team out for Stuart Broad.
Postpublished at 11:07 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match SpecialThere is another possibility where at the end it could be said: "Player of the Match is David Warner for his 190"
I'm being mischievous but it is a possibility with how he batted yesterday.
Postpublished at 11:04 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
The England players are making their way down from the balcony.
Play is due to start at 11:10 BST we've just been told.
'I'll be going out there and giving it everything'published at 11:03 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
England's James Anderson speaking to BBC Test Match Special: "We'd like for more humidity out there, there's a cold breeze going across at the minute. The chances of reverse swing are limited with a damp field too. We've bowled in worse conditions than this and got wickets.
"The plan is to get 10 wickets as quickly as possible. Each bowler will have their own thoughts about getting the best out of that pitch and along with the captain we'll try and work through the day.
"I'll be going out there and giving it everything. I feel a bit gutted about not having produced the form that I expect from myself through this series so hopefully I can get something today to help the team."
Postpublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
No prizes for guessing who these fans are here to see today...
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 10:59 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at The OvalThey've just shown Zak Crawley hitting the first ball of this series for four on the big screen. Was that really only six weeks ago?
'I feel proud to have been on the field with Broad'published at 10:57 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland's James Anderson speaking to BBC Test Match Special: "I think I will get emotional later definitely, but I feel proud to have been on the field with Broad as often as I have and do the things we have done together. It was probably the perfect moment for both of us as we walked out in the field to bat. It felt really special and to see the ovation that he got as well, i just felt really lucky to be out there.
"I'm not retiring, I didn't want to go through the guard of honour. I'm not done yet so I'll wait for my moment whenever that will be. Yesterday was about Stuart, today is about Stuart and hopefully the team put in another good performance for him and give him the send-off he deserves.
"Mo is carrying that niggle, the hardest thing for him is turning and running after balls so if we can hide him a bit we might be able to get a few more overs from him. We saw it was spinning yesterday too. After five Test matches the bodies are going to be sore, we've got one day and then a few months off. Stuart's got a bit more off so I think he'll be giving everything out there."
Postpublished at 10:55 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
The covers are now coming off again.
We may only have a very small delay.
Postpublished at 10:53 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at The OvalThe drizzle has got steadier now. On come more covers.
Postpublished at 10:52 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
The groundstaff are bringing out a significant number of covers now.
Stuart Broad is still out there warming up though.
Postpublished at 10:51 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Matthew Henry
BBC Sport at The Oval
Image source, PA MediaStuart Broad has just emerged for some warm-ups of his own with drizzle in the air. Standing ovation.
Postpublished at 10:50 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Thanks Ffion.
Six-and-a-half weeks of intense and enthralling men's Ashes cricket ends here.
Will it finish 2-2, 1-3 or maybe 1-2 if the rain gets in the way?
Postpublished at 10:47 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
If you got close, or got it right, I can't really offer much other than congratulations. So well done!
And on that note, I'm off.
Here's Callum Matthews to take you through the morning session.
Daily ZaltzQuiz - Answerpublished at 10:45 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Thank you for all your texts and tweets for our final quiz question of the summer.
It's now time to reveal the answer...
Q: Stuart Broad’s final act with the bat in Test was to plank Mitchell Starc into the stands for his 55th six. He finished 8 not out.
What is the average score of men’s Test players in their final Test innings?
A: 16.5 (counting the final innings in the final Test of all players in Test history who have not played since 2021).
All players in the first innings of their debuts have collectively averaged 22.3.
In all other innings in between, they average 30.9.
Postpublished at 10:42 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match SpecialI spoke to Mark Wood this morning who says he has got a sore heel...
Postpublished at 10:38 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
Glenn McGrath
Ex-Australia bowler on BBC Test Match SpecialWithout a doubt Australia are desperate to be outright winners.
3-1 would be a sensational effort, given how close this series has been.
249 runs is still a long way to go but if these two bat how they did yesterday, it will give them a great chance of getting over the line.
get involved Get Involved - Daily ZaltzQuizpublished at 10:34 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
#bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)
Got a feeling it's gonna be low (although, like others, probably looking at the question through Bradman-tinted spectacles). 9.4.
Adam in Southfields
For Zaltzdaily quiz I'm going to go for a slightly sentimental 23.7
Jack
DailyZaltzQuiz - after metronomic calculations 16.9 is looking a good number.
Denny
Postpublished at 10:30 British Summer Time 31 July 2023
In half an hour's time, it is said speaker Usman Khawaja who will resume Australia's innings on 69, joined by David Warner on 58.
They barely gave a chance yesterday, and Warner in particular will be keen to spoil Stuart Broad's farewell party.