5th Ashes Test Day 1 AUS 287/3

AUS 287/3

Stumps report: Australia have taken control on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test to raise hopes of a consolation victory at The Oval.

Alastair Cook's decision to bowl first came as no surprise in the morning, but any hopes of dismissing the tourists cheaply were ended by a solid start to the innings from the two openers.

Chris Rogers departed for 43 when he edged Mark Wood to Cook at slip following an opening stand of 110 with David Warner, who was dismissed by Moeen Ali shortly before the tea break.

Michael Clarke was given a guard of honour by the England players in his final Test match, but another disappointing knock for the Australian skipper came to an end when edged Ben Stokes through to Jos Buttler.

However, the tourists survived a testing spell in the evening session to make it to the close of play on 287-3, with Steve Smith (78*) and Adam Voges (48*) unbeaten at the crease before bad light forced the players off.


Tea Report: Australia have been reduced to 184-2 at tea on day one of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

The tourists negotiated the morning session without losing a wicket, but the departures of Chris Rogers and David Warner have seen England make the breakthrough.

Rogers was the first to go when he was caught by Alastair Cook off the bowling of Mark Wood for 43 in the 34th over.

Warner looked on course for his century as he continued to force the issue, only for the combination of Adam Lyth and Moeen Ali to dismiss him for 85.

Australia captain Michael Clarke, who is playing his last match in Test cricket, was then given a guard of honour by the England players as he made his way out to the middle.

The veteran reached 14 not out before the end of the session, with Steven Smith alongside him on 29.


Lunch report: Opening duo Chris Rogers and David Warner have helped Australia reach 82-0 at lunch on day one of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

The tourists have looked steady with the bat so far, while England have struggled for inspiration with the ball.

The closest that England came to taking a wicket after winning the toss was when Rogers, who is playing his last Test, almost nicked a Ben Stokes delivery through to Jos Buttler.

Rogers finished the morning session on 27 not out, with Warner making his way to an unbeaten knock of 53.