Ashes 2023

Though Australia retained the Ashes urn despite the 2-2 draw in the five-match series, Pat Cummins' team was unhappy because of the ball change, which they feel was not done properly and a ball that looks 'newer' than the old one and resulted in England prising out Australian batsmen to trigger a collapse.

While the final scoreline means Australia retain the Ashes for a fourth straight series, the tourists will be disappointed they failed to capitalise on the 2-0 lead they opened up early in the series and missed the chance to record a first series triumph on English soil since 2001.

After Mark Wood hit Usman Khawaja on the helmet with a bouncer on the first delivery of the 37th over, umpires Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena changed the ball, citing that it had gone out of shape. But the replacement ball looked newer than the previous ball, as Khawaja, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne were dismissed in quick succession in Australia’s chase of 384.

With the riveting win at The Oval, England levelled the series after being 2-0 down, though Australia had already retained the Ashes.

Broad, 37, announced that he would be retiring from all forms of the game after the play ended on Day Three. He finishes his career with 602 Test scalps, being one of just two fast bowlers to take more than 600 Test wickets, alongside longtime bowling partner James Anderson, who strode out to bat alongside Broad on Day Four of the match. 

After being 185-7 at one stage, Australia were eventually bowled out for 295 in 103.1 overs on the last ball of a riveting day two' play and managed to take a lead. Smith top-scored with 71 off 123 balls, and was supported by Usman Khawaja (47), Cummins (36) and Murphy (34).

With Australia resuming at 61/1 in their first innings and hoping to take a big lead, England will be looking up to Moeen Ali to trouble them with his spin bowling. The Oval wicket is renowned for turning and Australia will be batting last in the match, Moeen's spin bowling could be a huge factor.