FIFTH TEST FROM THE KIA OVAL

FIFTH TEST - PLAYER RATINGS

to make up for Chris Woakes’ wicket off a no-ball.

With Wade and now Tim Paine taking the attack to England, they needed someone to strike and Leach did just that in trapping the Aussie skipper lbw – and yet the drama lay elsewhere.

Jofra Archer had already done enough this summer to be hailed as a star, but his fiery spell of bowling at his former Big Bash team-mate Wade added to affections.

In an eight-over spell that topped 95.6 miles per hour, Archer and Wade enjoyed a colossal tussle that had the crowd mesmerised by its intensity and skill.

Wade survived to be able to score his second ton of the series, but when Root had him stumped for 117 England’s road to victory was assured. BURNS

Runs in first innings and a stunning catch to get rid of Siddle

DENLY

Made best use of an early drop to post crucial 94

ROOT

Half century in first innings. Best display of captaincy this series

STOKES

Quiet but caught well (Smith, too) and 127-run stand with Denly

BAIRSTOW

Average with the bat but kept impeccably throughout bar one slip

BUTTLER

Free-flowing return to form with the bat in both innings

CURRAN

Makes things happen, rewarded with 3-46, including two in two balls

WOAKES

Finally brought Smith down in the first innings but expensive otherwise

ARCHER

Brilliant contribution of 6-62 in first innings. Frustrated in second

LEACH

Beauty to get Labuschagne Sunday but had runs to play with

BROAD

Superb, and three big wickets yesterday, including Smith

WARNER

Failed to back up verbals. Hopeless series capped with two more flops

HARRIS

Dropped Denly on 0, seven stitches in his finger and just 12 runs

LABUSCHAGNE

Another decent contribution with bat and fine catch to get Buttler

SMITH

Average by his stunning standards. Fell for obvious trap yesterday

WADE

Irritating in the field with chat but backed it up with bat

MARSH

Grabbed excellent five-for in first innings, more needed with bat

PAINE

Questionable choice to bowl first, hopeless with reviews

CUMMINS

A shade off his brilliant best this time but still took five wickets

SIDDLE

Struggled to make much of an impact with either bat or ball

LYON

Very good with second innings 4-69 despite finger trouble

HAZLEWOOD

Bit off colour – judged against his work in series as a whole

scorer and captain, and he believes the Test team can now go from strength to strength after yesterday’s 135-run win at the Oval secured a 2-2 draw. “What a summer of cricket it has been,” he said. “I was desperate to win this series but the summer has been a success for English cricket. The World Cup had some fantastic contests, especially the final, to be backed up by such an evenly matched Ashes series. “It was hard when we were on the rough end of things, but we showed great character Root and Leach were delighted to wrap up yesterday’s win... but Smith (left) took home the urn throughout and 2-2 looks a hell of a lot better than 3-1. “We didn’t do enough to win the Ashes back but we did a huge amount to win this week. “It has been a long summer, with challenges we’ve never had to face before, but guys have stepped up under pressure like Rory Burns (above) and Jofra Archer and we’ve got a great opportunity to move forwards.” ENGLAND AUSTRALIA