Australia captain Pat Cummins expressed regret over the “key moments we didn’t get right” as his dream of leading the side to an Ashes series win in England fell short on Monday.

During the fifth and final Test at The Oval, Australia had a chance to pull off an improbable victory, being at 264-3 while chasing a massive target of 384. A draw would have been enough to seal the series, but unfortunately, they suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last seven wickets for 70 runs. This resulted in England winning by 49 runs, ending the series in a 2-2 draw, mirroring the outcome of the 2019 Ashes.

Cummins emphasized the significance of key partnerships in batting that could have potentially turned the tide in their favor throughout the series.

Although Monday’s defeat prevented Australia from securing their first Ashes series win in England since 2001, they retained the urn with the 2-2 draw. Cummins acknowledged that the tour was successful overall, given the triumph in the World Test Championship and the retention of the Ashes.

However, he regretted the absence of off-spinner Nathan Lyon due to a tour-ending calf injury during the second Test at Lord’s, highlighting Lyon’s importance in all conditions.

Cummins acknowledged the pressure of the Ashes, which tends to define eras and legacies, and stated that his team would be judged based on their performance in this series. He expressed pride in retaining the Ashes in the last two series in England, considering it an exceptional achievement for the team.

On the opening day of the final Ashes Test, the curse of the Ashes spinners struck again, claiming its third victim as Moeen Ali pulled a groin muscle while batting.

As of now, the 36-year-old’s prognosis remains unclear. He did not return to the field after England’s innings, and even if he recovers overnight, he won’t be permitted to bowl for most of Friday’s opening session. Australia will resume at 61 for one, trailing by 222 runs.

Moeen will be required to rest and undergo monitoring overnight, with no scans currently planned. A decision on his participation in the rest of the match will be made based on his condition. Moeen was brought into England’s side after coming out of retirement when Jack Leach was ruled out of the series due to a stress fracture in his back, while Australia’s Nathan Lyon also suffered an injury and had to return home after tearing his calf.

Moeen scored 11 runs off 38 balls before sustaining the injury while taking a quick single. He then added 23 runs off his next eight deliveries, which included two fours and two sixes, before being dismissed by Todd Murphy, Australia’s second-choice spinner.

Despite the setback, Moeen’s powerful batting impressed his teammates. Harry Brook, who top-scored for England with 85, praised Moeen’s determination to play aggressively even after the injury. He described Moeen as one of the best power hitters in the world.

England, having set a target of 250 at lunch, eventually made 283, taking advantage of Australia’s uncharacteristic generosity with five dropped chances. Mitchell Starc, despite playing through a shoulder injury, became the leading wicket-taker in the series with four wickets.

Starc credited his team’s calm and collected demeanor for their ability to create chances consistently, even though they faced some drops during the game. He acknowledged that many bowlers in international cricket deal with discomfort and injuries, but he remained focused on the game, intending to address any concerns at the end of the week.

The day began with Pat Cummins winning the toss for the first time this summer, and he chose to bowl. Starc jokingly mentioned that Marnus Labuschagne was the only one pushing for Cummins to call heads instead, but the team supported him in sticking to calling tails.

Australia legend Glenn McGrath attributed England’s failure to regain the Ashes to their own shortcomings, following a rain-affected draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

The entire final day on Sunday was washed out, and 60 overs were lost to bad weather on Saturday. The draw meant that Australia, being the holders, retained the Ashes with a 2-1 lead in the series, with only the fifth and final Test at The Oval remaining.

McGrath pointed out that England’s decision to bat on for too long in their first innings was a crucial factor. After amassing 592 in response to Australia’s 317 in the first innings, McGrath believed England captain Ben Stokes should have declared earlier to give his team more time to bowl out Australia, who were 214/5 in their second innings when play was abandoned.

“Looking back at that declaration (decision), if they (England) had finished at lunch on day three, given themselves 10 more overs when the ball was doing a bit more, they could easily have picked up six or seven wickets,” McGrath told the BBC.

England had opportunities to win in the first two Tests but fell behind 2-0 to world Test champions Australia.

McGrath emphasized that England could have been 3-0 up if they had displayed a more ruthless approach. Instead, they now find themselves trailing 2-1, and the Ashes have slipped away from their grasp.

Australia has not won an Ashes series in England since their triumph in 2001, but McGrath believes England still has a lot to play for in the upcoming Test at The Oval.

Michael Vaughan, England’s captain during their thrilling Ashes triumph in 2005, acknowledged that England has been the better team in the series, despite being 2-1 down. He believes that if Australia continues their current form, England could dominate and emerge victorious in the final Test.

Marnus Labuschagne’s determined century proved to be a stumbling block for England’s bid to level the Ashes series during the rain-marred fourth Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.

After England’s dominant performance in the first three days, amassing a massive 592 in their first innings, with Zak Crawley’s impressive 189 and Jonny Bairstow’s flashy 99 not out, Australia showed resilience by ending Saturday’s play at 214-5 in their second innings, trailing by just 61 runs.

Labuschagne’s brilliance shone through as he reached his second Test century outside Australia, scoring 111, which also became his highest overseas score at this level. His crucial partnership of 103 runs with Mitchell Marsh (31 not out) added to England’s frustration, as they desperately needed a win in Manchester to keep their hopes alive for regaining the Ashes, being 2-1 down with two matches remaining.

The wicket of Labuschagne fell towards the end of the day, caught behind off Joe Root’s occasional off-spin after the umpires deemed it unsafe for England’s quick bowlers to bowl due to fading light.

Although Labuschagne had been struggling for runs before this match, his hundred on Saturday, his 11th in 42 Tests, followed his 51 in Australia’s first innings, giving him renewed confidence in his technique and batting form.

Looking ahead to the final day’s play, rain is forecast, and a draw would secure the Ashes for Australia as the current holders, irrespective of the result in the fifth and final Test at The Oval next week. Labuschagne dismissed suggestions that Australia would aim to take the lead and then attempt to bowl England out, asserting that their strategy was to let the game unfold naturally and avoid giving England any opportunities.

Meanwhile, England’s batting coach, Marcus Trescothick, praised Joe Root’s bowling performance, referring to him as a “golden arm” for occasionally surprising opponents with his off-break deliveries.

With uncertainty surrounding the weather on the final day, Trescothick acknowledged that rain is predicted, but the team would seize any opportunity to get out on the field and make the most of the game if the conditions allow.

Zak Crawley’s breathtaking 189, his maiden Ashes hundred, powered England to a sensational run spree on the second day of the fourth Test at Old Trafford. England ended the day at 384/4 in response to Australia’s first innings score of 317, securing a lead of 67 runs in a must-win match to keep their hopes of regaining the Ashes alive, with the series standing at 2-1 in Australia’s favor.

Crawley and Joe Root, who contributed 84 runs, formed a remarkable partnership of 206 runs in just 29 overs. Before that, Crawley and Moeen Ali (54) had already built a strong foundation with a 121-run partnership for the second wicket.

The England team displayed aggressive and rapid run-scoring, reaching 61/1 off 16 overs by lunch after an early wicket. However, they surged to 239/2 by tea, adding an astonishing 178 runs in just 25 overs during the second session. Crawley’s exceptional innings saw him become the sixth England batsman to score a hundred runs in a session of an Ashes Test.

With the threat of rain looming over the weekend, England’s quick scoring provided an insurance policy to bolster their chances of a victory. Crawley was closing in on a double century, having previously scored a massive 267 against Pakistan three years ago. However, he was eventually dismissed by Cameron Green, finishing with an impressive 189 runs off 182 deliveries, including 21 fours and three sixes.

England encountered some hiccups when Root was bowled for 84, and Stokes suffered a blow to the helmet from a Hazlewood delivery. Australia’s concerns increased as Starc left the field due to a shoulder injury while making a diving stop at mid-on.

Both Crawley and Moeen had their share of luck against Australia’s pace attack. Moeen, who completed the Test “double” of 3,000 runs and 200 wickets, survived some close calls before being dismissed for 54. Crawley’s aggressive batting style earned him a quickfire century in just 93 balls.

Australia’s innings had ended earlier at 317, with Chris Woakes taking five wickets for 62 runs, securing his first five-wicket Ashes haul.

England Recalls James Anderson for Fourth Ashes Test; Ollie Robinson Benched

England has decided to bring back the seasoned 40-year-old bowler, James Anderson, for the upcoming fourth Ashes Test against Australia, set to commence at Old Trafford on Wednesday. This marks the only change from the victorious third Test, where England narrowed Australia’s series lead to 2-1 with two matches left.

In this alteration, Ollie Robinson will make way for Anderson, who has been instrumental in England’s bowling arsenal over the years. Despite being dropped for the third Test due to a lackluster performance, where he managed only three wickets for 226 runs in the opening two matches of the series, Anderson’s experience and skill are being relied upon in this crucial encounter.

Another notable adjustment to England’s lineup is Moeen Ali batting at No. 3, a position he occupied in the second innings at Headingley. This change allows Harry Brook to maintain his spot at No. 5, solidifying the team’s batting order.

England finds itself in a challenging position, requiring victories in both remaining Tests to claim the Ashes for the first time since 2015. On the other hand, if Australia secures just one more win, they will achieve a historic series victory in England for the first time since 2001. The stakes are high as the battle for Ashes glory intensifies.

Jonny Bairstow has been retained as England’s wicketkeeper in a 14-man squad for the upcoming fourth Test against Australia, as the team maintains their faith in him.

Bairstow has faced challenges behind the stumps during the series, having missed eight chances in the first three Tests.

Despite calls for Surrey’s Ben Foakes to replace Bairstow, both captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum continue to support the Yorkshire player.

Following their three-wicket victory in the third Test in Leeds, which kept their Ashes hopes alive, England has named an unchanged squad for the forthcoming match in Manchester on Wednesday.

The hosts currently trail 2-1 in the series with two Tests remaining as they strive to win the Ashes for the first time since 2015.

Foakes has received praise from Stokes as the best wicketkeeper in the world, but Bairstow regained his place at the start of the season after recovering from a broken leg sustained in a golfing accident.

Bairstow’s mobility has appeared compromised since his recovery from three separate leg fractures, ligament damage, and a dislocated ankle.

In this Ashes series, he has only impressed with the bat once, scoring 78 runs on the opening day of the series.

Ollie Robinson has also been included in the squad, despite his recent back spasms limiting his involvement in the previous match.

The medical team is monitoring Robinson, but he is expected to make way for the return of James Anderson, England’s leading Test wicket-taker, at his home ground in Lancashire.

Anderson was rested for the third Test after struggling to make an impact in the first two matches, leading to suggestions that his effectiveness was waning at the age of 40.

Meanwhile, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald faces a selection dilemma with Mitch Marsh impressing in the third Test after replacing the injured Cameron Green.

With Green now fit, McDonald must find a way to accommodate both all-rounders in the lineup.

Opener David Warner’s place in the team is in question following a poor performance in the third Test, while omitting Scott Boland would allow Marsh and Green to be included.

“We have a lot to consider and weigh up. We need to consider Mitch Marsh’s inclusion and the team’s balance with our all-rounders,” McDonald stated.

“He has presented a strong case. He was exceptional in this game, and his compatibility against England is quite promising. He also showcased impressive bowling skills, which he has displayed before in England.”

Mark Wood, the English fast bowler, expresses readiness to unleash more “thunderbolts” against Australia in the upcoming fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Wood’s outstanding performance at Headingley upon his return to international duty earned him the player-of-the-match award, as he recorded figures of 7-100 and contributed a crucial 40 runs off just 16 balls. His exceptional pace added a new dimension to England’s attack, unsettling the Australian batsmen who were unaccustomed to such speed after their victories at Edgbaston and Lord’s.

Wood’s teammate and captain, Ben Stokes, asked him if he was prepared to deliver thunderbolts before his first spell in Test cricket since December’s Pakistan tour. Wood’s response was affirmative, and Stokes backed him to unleash his full potential. Their close relationship eased the process.

When questioned about the possibility of replicating his performance in Manchester, Wood responded with a grin, stating, “Absolutely. Lightning strikes twice, eh?”

Although injuries have plagued Wood’s career, particularly his ankles, he remains confident in his ability to feature in the remaining Ashes matches, despite the tight three-day gap between the fourth and fifth games. Recalling his experience of playing four consecutive Tests in Australia during the previous Ashes series, Wood believes he can draw from that and perform once again.

Reflecting on his accomplishments against the world Test champions, Australia, Wood expressed pride in his performance, acknowledging the challenge of facing formidable bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. He considers it a great achievement to perform well against such a top-quality side.

Wood also expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from fans, comparing it to the memorable 2005 Ashes series victory. He appreciates the outpouring of support both on the streets and through messages, emphasizing the strength of national support carried by the team.

Australia captain Pat Cummins keeps options open, refusing to rule out dropping struggling opener David Warner for the final Ashes series match.

Left-handed opener Warner has expressed his desire to retire from Test duty after the upcoming Pakistan series at his home ground in Sydney next year.

However, the 36-year-old may not have the opportunity to end his Test career on his own terms following another disappointing performance against England’s Stuart Broad during Australia’s three-wicket defeat in the third Ashes Test at Headingley on Sunday.

Warner managed scores of only four and one in Leeds, with Broad dismissing him on both occasions, increasing his tally to 17 Test dismissals of Warner throughout his career.

Despite Australia leading the five-match Ashes series 2-1, Warner has struggled to make an impact, averaging a mere 23.5 with just one half-century in six innings.

Warner’s lack of runs has presented Australia with a challenging decision in the nine days leading up to the fourth Test at Old Trafford. The absence of tour games complicates matters further, making it harder for reserve batsman Marcus Harris or others to stake their claim.

Another scenario that could lead to Warner’s omission is if all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who made a remarkable 118 runs and took two wickets in his first Test since 2019 as a replacement for the injured Cameron Green, retains his place alongside Green, who is expected to recover in time for the Manchester Test.

When asked about the possibility of leaving Warner out to accommodate both Marsh and Green, Cummins responded, “We’ll keep all our options open. We have nine or 10 days now, so we’ll take a step back. We’ll have a break for a few days, but everyone will be back in the mix. Greeny should be fit for Manchester, and we should have a full roster. So, we’ll assess the pitch, have discussions, and determine the best XI.”

However, Cummins was more resolute when questioned about the likelihood of dropping Marsh. “It’s possible, but he had an impressive week, didn’t he?” he said.

England’s successful chase of 251 at Headingley, reviving their Ashes hopes with the series at 2-1 in Australia’s favor, marked the first significant setback for the touring team.

Earlier, Cummins led Australia to victory in the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval. He followed that with crucial contributions with the bat, guiding Australia to a two-wicket win in the Ashes opener at Edgbaston and a 43-run victory in the second Test at Lord’s.

The matches against Ben Stokes’ England side have been gripping encounters, with Australia aiming for their first Ashes series win in England in 22 years.

“It’s intense out there,” said Cummins. “I actually enjoy the feeling of having some control over the situation when you’re in the middle of it. It’s a hundred times worse when you’re in the changing room, wishing you could do something about it but you can’t.”

England Revives Ashes Hopes with Thrilling Win, Wood’s Speed Impresses, Woakes Proves His Value, and Marsh Returns in Style

England breathed new life into their Ashes campaign with a thrilling three-wicket victory over Australia in the fourth Test at Headingley, successfully chasing down a target of 251 runs. Here are three key takeaways from this match that left Ben Stokes’ team trailing 2-1 with two Tests remaining against the world Test champions, Australia.

Wood Demonstrates the Need for Speed

Mark Wood made a resounding impact upon his return to the England side, showcasing what the team had been missing. The fast bowler from Durham consistently unleashed speeds of over 90 mph, claiming exceptional figures of 5/34 in Australia’s first innings. As the fastest bowler of his generation, Wood’s career has been plagued by injuries, particularly ankle problems. However, his blistering pace proved to be a valuable asset, making him a standout performer in the match. Additionally, Wood’s powerful hitting with the bat in both innings proved instrumental in England’s victory, as his uncomplicated yet effective boundary shots contributed crucial runs.

Woakes Demonstrates His Worth

Chris Woakes has often found himself overshadowed by the remarkable talents of James Anderson and Ben Stokes in England’s Test setup. Injuries further hindered his progress, resulting in just 46 Test appearances since his debut in 2013. Nevertheless, the 34-year-old has displayed immense resilience and proved his value once again, particularly in favorable English conditions at Headingley. With Anderson resting and Ollie Robinson affected by a back spasm, Woakes returned match figures of 6/141, which could have been even better if not for dropped catches off his bowling. Moreover, when England encountered a stumbling block at 171/6 during their chase, Woakes provided crucial support to Harry Brook (who scored 75) in a vital partnership of 59 runs. He then sealed the win himself with an unbeaten 32 runs.

Marsh Ends Exile in Spectacular Fashion

Mitchell Marsh anticipated a backup role to fellow all-rounder Cameron Green throughout the tour. However, he made a stunning comeback to the Test arena after a four-year absence, smashing a rapid-fire 118 runs off just as many balls in Australia’s first innings. His century stood out amidst a lackluster batting performance from Australia, where the next highest score was Travis Head’s 39. Marsh, hailing from a cricketing family with his father Geoff and brother Shaun both being former Australian internationals, also contributed with the ball, claiming two wickets in the match with his lively medium pace. This remarkable performance has left the selectors with a challenging decision ahead of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, where Green, Marsh’s replacement at Headingley, is expected to return from injury. Marsh now boasts impressive Test averages against England, surpassing 50 with the bat and staying under 24 with the ball. Adding a touch of self-deprecating humor, Marsh jokingly referred to himself as the “first man to score an Ashes hundred on a UK holiday,” acknowledging his role as a backup player.