A near century from opening batsman Joe Denly grew England’s lead to almost 400 on day three of the fifth and final Ashes series Test at The Oval in London.
Resuming on 9-0 overnight, England climbed to 313-8, and a 382-run second-innings lead. The hosts were spearheaded by Denly, whose promotion to the top of the order in the wake of South African-born Jason Roy’s failings has proven successful.
Denly batted in the middle order for the first three of this five-match series. The fourth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester brought promotion to the top of the order – and a steely half-century.
Saturday yielded a solid 94 in the same position. The score marked the highest of a burgeoning eight-Test career, surpassing February’s 69 against the West Indies in Gros Islet.
Denly and all-rounder Ben Stokes largely defied a tired opposition bowling attack on Saturday, with the in-form Pat Cummins and Jozh Hazlewood sharing just one wicket.
Days one and two at The Oval were headlined by all-rounder Mitchell Marsh’s five-for, fast bowler Jofra Archer’s six-for and batsman Steve Smith’s 80.
Australia retained the Ashes title on the back of victory in Manchester. They also won the 2017-18 series. They are 2-1 up in the current series.
Photo: Getty Images
