He scored few runs, took one wicket but Andrew Flintoff still put England on course for the Ashes with a rocket-like throw to remove the Australian captain

Peter English presents the final plays of the Ashes summer

Despite the team management discussing how bare the surface was in the lead-up, the selectors relied on four fast bowlers instead of calling on Nathan Hauritz's offspin

For most of Ricky Ponting's life a tour of England was the highlight for an Australian player. The experience has not been as enjoyable under his leadership

Peter English presents the plays of the day from the third day of the deciding Test

Stuart Broad's five wickets after lunch gave England a chance to regain the Ashes, helping him join an impressive list of England allrounders who have floored Australia in their favourite contest

Australia's openers stood firm during a torrid 20.2-over session on the second morning at The Oval, employing luck and skill in equal measures to chisel their way to 61 for 0

An unfamiliar and subcontinent-style pitch has revived England's hopes of capturing the Ashes despite the hosts falling away after a useful start to the deciding Ashes Test

He's not the new Kevin Pietersen, but Jonathan Trott had good reason to feel like his fellow South African-raised, England batsman

Plays of the Day from the first day of the final Ashes Test between England and Australia at The Oval

Ponting is wary of a repeat of the stress in this game, which is the most significant contest for all but the four players in the squad who were here for the 2-1 loss in 2005

Andrew Strauss has told his team to focus instead on wearing Australia down over the first three days

Flintoff will have to break down at The Oval during Wednesday's practice for the team even to consider leaving him out for the second match in a row

While the visitors lean to a four-man seam unit, England will consider calling up Monty Panesar to link with spin partner Graeme Swann on a dry surface

For the past couple of nights Michael Clarke has tried to remember what it was like going into the final Test at The Oval four years ago. He can't recall any of the details

The last time Simon Katich was on an Ashes tour it was Australia having to attempt to force the pace in the final game of the series. Now, it's England who have all the work to do

Stuart Clark's position is under threat for the deciding Ashes Test at The Oval, but it's not such a big deal for the experienced fast bowler

Shane Watson desperately craves a Test century and hopes he can sign off as an Ashes opener in style at The Oval next week

Peter Siddle, the Australia fast bowler, is amused by England's possible turn towards the veteran batsmen Mark Ramprakash and Marcus Trescothick for next week's series-decider at The Oval

Matthew Hayden, the former Australia opener, appears more upset with Phillip Hughes' quick demotion from the Test team than the man himself.