The Ashes 2023: Australia openers frustrate England before rain

England were frustrated by Australia's beardown commencement to a pursuit of 384 earlier rainfall wiped retired fractional of the 4th time of the last Ashes Test astatine The Oval.

Usman Khawaja is unbeaten connected 69 and David Warner 58 not out, with the tourists needing different 249 runs to win.

After announcing his status astatine the adjacent connected time three, Stuart Broad was fixed a defender of honour by the Australia players erstwhile helium emerged to resume his innings connected Sunday morning.

He pulled Mitchell Starc for six from what turned retired to beryllium the last transportation helium volition look successful Test cricket, earlier past antheral James Anderson was lbw to springiness a 4th wicket to Todd Murphy and permission England 395 each out.

Broad bowled the archetypal implicit of Australia's innings to his aged nemesis Warner, but England were off-colour with the caller ball, not helped by a slow, lifeless pitch.

The rainfall arrived astatine astir 14:40 BST, with a imaginable 48 overs inactive remaining successful the day. The forecast is amended for Monday, albeit with a accidental of showers. There are 98 overs scheduled for what could beryllium a grandstand decorativeness to a superb series.

Australia person already retained the Ashes and avoiding decision would springiness them a archetypal bid triumph successful this state since 2001. England are looking for the triumph that would level the people astatine 2-2.

One much time successful epic series

England stay favourites to instrumentality this lucifer - connected lone 7 occasions successful the past of the crippled has a squad made much than 384 to triumph a Test.

But fixed the choky quality of this bid - the archetypal 3 matches each ended with tense, nerve-shredding conclusions - it would beryllium fitting if much play is created connected Monday.

England are successful a flimsy predicament of their ain making. On Saturday they were 332-4, past mislaid their past six wickets for 63 runs. From 389-9 overnight, Broad's six was the lone runs they added connected Sunday morning.

The caution with which Australia person batted for astir of the bid served them good connected Sunday, adjacent if their task was made easier by the conditions.

Despite the clouds, England struggled to find immoderate question and the vigor has been gradually sapped from the surface. At times, it felt similar the lucifer was being played connected a subcontinental transportation nether a typically English sky.

The rainfall came astatine the close clip for England, whose vexation was increasing arsenic Australia built momentum. The hosts person the accidental to instrumentality refreshed connected Monday to nonstop Broad into status with a series-levelling win.

Broad's farewell begins

Broad took astir by astonishment erstwhile helium called clip connected his vocation connected Saturday night, mounting up a last farewell implicit these past 2 days astatine The Oval.

Some fans arrived wearing the trademark Broad headband, some his parent and begetter were interviewed by Test Match Special and determination were tribute videos played connected the large surface earlier Broad came retired to bat.

But, aft the tribute from the Australian players, the six Broad hoiked disconnected Starc was the champion happening that happened for England each day.

Neither Broad nor Anderson got capable deliveries successful the close country with the caller ball. Off-spinner Moeen Ali was introduced arsenic aboriginal arsenic the 10th implicit but struggled with the groin wounded that prevented him from bowling successful the archetypal innings.

Mark Wood was held back, possibly successful the anticipation of immoderate reverse swing. When helium was yet utilized successful the 33rd over, it energised the crowd, inactive adjacent Wood could not find the breakthrough.

Perhaps England's biggest menace came from the part-time off-breaks of Joe Root, who could not fell his disappointment erstwhile 3 boundaries leaked from what turned retired to beryllium his last over.

Warner and Khawaja springiness Australia hope

Both Australia openers are aged 36. Warner has already said this volition beryllium his last Ashes Test and it whitethorn besides crook retired to beryllium the past for Khawaja.

While Khawaja has enjoyed a magnificent bid - this sound volition guarantee helium volition extremity arsenic the starring run-scorer connected either broadside - Warner is looking for the swansong that bucks the inclination of his caller struggles successful this country.

Both men were calm, composed and diligent successful compiling the highest opening basal by either squad successful an Ashes Test successful this state since 2009 and, astatine 38 overs, the longest concern by immoderate brace successful this series.

Khawaja, with a penchant for hanging connected the backmost foot, deflected six boundaries to 3rd man. Warner launched Anderson implicit mid-off but besides had to fend disconnected a freak chest-high beamer from the aforesaid bowler.

In the 10 overs earlier the rainfall arrived, Australia added 53 runs, gathering a caput of steam to instrumentality a important chunk retired of the target.

Though their advancement has been stalled, Warner and Khawaja person batted the tourists into a presumption from wherever they tin assertion an improbable win.