England vs Australia, 5th Test at London, , Sep 08 2005 - Ball by Ball Commentary

The umpires have offered the light to Langer and Hayden and they have accepted it.

This is not quite the end of play though

The players have walked off the field, but will have to come back out in case the light situation improves. But that is unlikely to happen this time of the year.

Match State: Delay - Day 5 - Bad light stops play

The covers are coming on now

We're being told the match officials and representatives of both teams are talking, discussing whether this game can be called off at this stage

That's probably the common sense way forward so that the England team and indeed most of the country can celebrate a great victory

The umpires walk out now and are purposefully striding to the middle

The bails come off, the stumps are pulled out of the ground and officially this match is drawn and England have won the Ashes 2-1

It's a huge moment for this team, the celebrations can now officially begin!

Handshakes all round between the two teams, that's good spirit between the two sides

The England team are gathered on the pavilion steps and they are now led out by Michael Vaughan ... the crowd roars!

There's plenty of waving and gesturing to the crowds. There are songs in the air and thunderous applause. Soon the presentation ceremony will begin.

The Man of the Match is Kevin Pietersen for his magnificent 158 in the second innings that sealed the match for England

'It's a fantastic day. It's special to me personally to win the Man of the Match on the last day of a series where we won the Ashes,' says Pietersen.

The Man of the Series is Andrew Flintoff. He has had a great series and richly deserves the award.

This was the award for the English Man of the Series, chosen by the Australian coach John Buchannan

Similarly Duncan Fletcher picks out Shane Warne as Australia's player of the series. Another great cricketer, another award richly deserved.

'It's been one of those series ... it was an amazing series. England were just too good for us in this series, and you have to hand it to them,' says Warne

'I always enjoy playing in England. The crowds in all the Tests have been sensational. It's just a pleasure to play here.'

Now the Australian team comes up, in batting order, to the podium

Finally Ponting comes up to have a word

'It looked early on that the game would be set up well. But England played great cricket all summer. They've outplayed us in every Test match other than the first one. Congratulations to Michael Vaughan and Duncan Fletcher,' says Ponting

'We had a few chances but did not take them. Kevin Pietersen played magnificently. This was one of the best series I have ever played in.'

There's a new award instituted this series. It's the Compton-Miller award for the player of the series. Picked by Trevor Hohns and David Graveney, that man is Andrew Freddie Flintoff

'It's been a great summer. Today is really special,' says Flintoff.

'We've played great cricket over the past five weeks. You've got to pinch yourself to know you're not dreaming. To play a part in winning the Ashes for England is something you dream about as a kid.'

Now the England team comes up, in batting order, to the podium

Huge roar from the crowd as Michael Vaughan comes up to the podium to recieve a replica of the famous Ashes urn. There's also a trophy from the sponsors for Vaughan to collect.

'It's been an incredible series. Full credit to Australia and the way they have played,' says Vaughan '

'Winning the toss and batting on four out of five occasions certainly helped.'

'We've all aged a few years in the course of this series. The support we have received has been fantastic and we appreciate this.'

Vaughan now holds that famous little urn up in the air and the crowd roars with great gusto

The confetti flies, the bubbly is uncorked, Team England bask in the adulation as the celebrations begin in right earnest!

That brings us to the end of the coverage of this Ashes series, as England take a lap of honour around The Oval

It has been a pleasure and a privilege bringing this series to you. We hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you!

For the moment, this is Anand Vasu, your commentator, tipping his hat off to England, saying commiserations Australia, and signing off

Do send in any feedback you may have to http://www.cricinfo.com/commentary.html