Ashes test series
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Ashes 2023: Usman Khawaja was first to question ball change that 'helped' England win fifth Test
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.
Pat Cummins rues 'missed opportunities' after 2-2 draw but proud of retaining the Ashes
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.
Ashes 2023: Ricky Ponting calls for ball change in Australia’s chase to be 'investigated'
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.
Ashes 2023: Retiring Stuart Broad receives guard of honour while coming out to bat for last time
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.
Ashes 2023, 5th Test: Steve Smith helps Australia take first-innings lead of 12 runs over England
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).
Ashes 2023: England sweat on fitness of injured all-rounder Moeen Ali in fifth Test
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.
Ashes 2023, 5th Test: Bowlers give Australia advantage against England on Day 1
Khawaja (26 not out) and Marnus Labuschagne (2 not out) were unbeaten at the crease, with Australia ending on 61/1 at stumps on Day 1, trailing England by 222 runs. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Pat Cummins and his men had to face a slog at the start, with England coming out all guns blazing.
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