England produced a strong batting performance on the second day of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval, largely thanks to a magnificent century from their former captain, Joe Root. His masterful knock of 160 was the cornerstone of England's first-innings total of 384, setting up an intriguing contest against Australia.
Root's Commanding Innings Anchors England
Resuming the day on 62 not out, Joe Root displayed exceptional skill and patience to convert his start into a substantial score. He batted for over six hours, facing 215 deliveries in an innings that included 21 boundaries. His 160 runs were crucial in helping England recover from a precarious position and post a competitive total on the board. Root's partnerships with the lower order, particularly with the tailenders, proved invaluable in pushing the score beyond 350.
Neser's Four-Wicket Haul for Australia
For Australia, pace bowler Michael Neser, playing in place of the rested Pat Cummins, was the standout performer with the ball. He finished with impressive figures of 4 for 70 from his 19 overs. Neser's disciplined line and length troubled the English batters throughout the innings. He was well-supported by Mitchell Starc, who took two wickets, while Todd Murphy and captain Pat Cummins chipped in with one wicket each.
England's innings saw several starts but only Root managed to capitalise fully. Jonny Bairstow contributed a brisk 78, providing vital support during a key partnership with Root. However, once the pair were separated, the English innings lost momentum quickly, with the last five wickets falling for just 49 runs.
Match Context and What Lies Ahead
This final Test at The Oval is a series decider, with Australia having already retained the Ashes urn after winning the first two Tests and the fourth match being a draw. England's fightback to win the third Test at Headingley has kept the series alive, and a victory here would see them level the series 2-2. A total of 384 gives England a fighting chance, but much will depend on how their bowlers perform against the formidable Australian batting lineup in response.
The day's play concluded with Australia beginning their first innings. At the tea break on Day 2, the visitors were 10 for no loss, with openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja at the crease. The stage is now set for a fascinating battle as Australia looks to build a strong reply and take control of the match and the series.
