England save their best batting performance for last as they dominate Australia at the Oval

For a side that loves to break records, there was one in the afternoon that will surely bring a smile to Ben Stokes’ face. When Joe Root ramped Mitchell Marsh over Alex Carey’s head for six, it was England’s 41st of the series, beating the previous record for the most in an Ashes series, which was 40, set by Australia during the 2013/14 Ashes.

There were fielding errors from the Australians as Crawley and Ben Duckett capitalised, scoring more runs than Australia did in the entire morning session the day before in just 9.5 overs and before the drinks break.

Whereas the morning on the second day was branded dull moved at a glacial pace, there was never any doubt that Bazball England would look to attack from the outset.

For a side that has historically been aggressive and prided itself on taking the game to the opposition, it was a slightly odd sight at the Oval where it felt like the game was happening to Australia and they were struggling to impose themselves on it.

Zak Crawley provided the impetus for England in the morning session before finishing with 71

There were good balls from the Australian bowlers, notably the one that did for Harry Brook, who was out for just seven edging behind, but England were never stifled as their opponents had been, nor did it feel like they truly had to absorb any pressure.

Crawley hit 73 before he was out just after lunch, with an attempted drive going straight to the slip cordon, and he was applauded off the field, having scored 480 runs across the five Test matches at 53.3.

After the wickets of Crawley and captain Ben Stokes, it was the turn of the two Yorkshiremen in Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root.

Root played a typical innings, including the reverse scoop that has been one of the shots of the series, bringing up 50 from just 42 deliveries when England were 213 for two.

Joe Root was dismissed for 91 as England notched up a lead of 377

The former England captain was eventually out for 91 from 106 when a ball from Todd Murphy turned and kept low to bowl Root, but while in previous eras a big wicket might have sparked a collapse, but the side just carried on in the same manner.

In the final hour of the day, England tried to put on as many runs as possible, with Mark Wood reverse-scooping, and all of the tailenders trying to hit from their first ball.

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James Anderson got a standing ovation with all corners of the ground singing his name when he walked out to the middle, it seemed like many in the crowd felt like it could be his last time with bat in hand for England, despite his insistence that he wants to keep playing.

But one thing it could be is a final innings in an Ashes Test, the next one is not for another year and a half, and it is almost certainly his last home Ashes. His two boundaries were cheered more than any other shots played, and England closed out the day 389 for nine.

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