The Aussies have already retained the Ashes after winning the fourth Test and now lead the five-match series 2-1.
(Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Mitchell Marsh’s 4 for 35 dented England’s middle order, but a resilient Jos Buttler, with an unbeaten 64, has steadied the ship, helping the Three Lions post 271 for 8 at stumps on Day 1 of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Thursday.
Buttler, who struck his first half-century of the series and has remained not out on 64 from 84 balls, played in his swashbuckling fashion, hitting six fours and three sixes. The right-hander had Jack Leach (10 not out) for company at the close of play.
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England were in a position of strength halfway into the second session with skipper Joe Root bringing up his fifty.
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Earlier, opener Rory Burns (47 off 87 balls; 4×7) missed out on a half-century as he was dismissed just after lunch by Australia’s in-form pacer Josh Hazlewood, caught at mid-on by Marsh.
Root (57 off 141 balls; 4×3) was castled by Pat Cummins (2/73) after lunch and following the dismissal of Jonny Bairstow (22), trapped in front by Marsh with an inswinging yorker, England lost a few wickets in a hurry.
Marsh used his inswinging yorker to good effect once again, trapping Chris Woakes (2) plumb in front. Marsh also sent Sam Curran (15) back to the hut, as he was caught at second slip by Steve Smith.
Buttler was slow to get off the block but once he did, he hit Josh Hazlewood (2/76) for back-to-back sixes before hitting him for another to bring up his 15th Test fifty. From 226 for 8, Buttler and Leach stitched together an unbroken stand of 45 runs, which really got England out of a hole.
Put into bat, England lost Joe Denly (14) early, as Cummins had him caught at second slip by Smith.
Ben Stokes (20) did not last long as Marsh had the England all-rounder hole out to Nathan Lyon.
It is to note that the Aussies have already retained the Ashes after winning the fourth Test and now lead the five-match series 2-1.
Brief scores: England 1st innings: 271/8 in 82 overs (Jos Buttler 64 not out, Joe Root 57, Rory Burns 47; Mitchell Marsh 4/35) vs Australia
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