England crushed Australia by 135 runs in fifth and final Ashes Test on Sunday to level series at 2-2, ending ir historic World Cup-winning season on a high. Victory for home side at Oval means Ashes ends in a draw for first time since 1972, although holders Australia retain urn.

Australian run chase

tourists, chasing an unlikely 399 to win in a she under two days, clung on late into evening session on fourth day before finally collapsing as shows lengned in south London. Australia, 2-1 up going into match, were bidding to win ir first Ashes series in England since 2001 but were denied by fired-up hosts, with paceman Jofra Archer named man of match for his six first-innings wickets.

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"A very good performance," said England captain Joe Root. "I thought we were brilliant. To bounce back from a very difficult emotional week, to come and play in manner we have, team has character in abundance. "

"This was more of a template of how to play moving forward. It is a step in right direction. I am very proud of everyone's effort throughout summer." Stuart Bro struck early to remove openers Marcus Harris and David Warner but while former captain Steve Smith was at crease, Australia retained a faint hope of victory. But when Ben Stokes dived to his left at leg slip to catch Smith for 23, giving Bro his third wicket of innings, England knew y h removed biggest obstacle in ir victory charge. Smith, who scored an astonishing 774 runs in just seven innings, was out for a score of less than fifty for first time in series. Oval crowd gave him a standing ovation as he walked back to dressing room in September sunshine, with Australia in deep trouble at 85-4 in post-lunch session. Matw We offered brave resistance, scoring 117 as Archer cranked his speed up to 95 miles-per-hour in evening sunlight, eye-balling Australian batsman in an attempt to intimidate him. Occasional bowler Root finally got his man, luring him forward as Jonny Bairstow whipped off bails. Left-arm spinner Jack Leach removed Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood in successive balls, meaning England salvd pride two months after winning one-day World Cup for first time. Bro and Leach both finished with four wickets. Earlier, England ded 16 runs to ir overnight tally, with Archer and Leach last men out. Bro n pounded in, roared on by a packed crowd, reducing Australia to 29-2. Warner, who returned to international cricket in June after a 12-month ban for ball-tampering, scored just 95 runs in 10 innings and was dismissed by Bro seven times. Warner's dismissal brought Smith to crease and he opened his account with a sweet drive through covers for four off Archer but this time he could t find magic. exit of Smith, also banned over ball-tampering scandal, led to one or two isolated boos but y were drowned out by applause from crowd in appreciation of his run-scoring feats. 

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A memorable Ashes for Steve Smith 

His run haul put him fifth on list of highest tallies in an Ashes series behind Don Brman's two entries, England's Wally Hammond and former Australia skipper Mark Taylor. Smith was named Australia's man of series while Stokes won award for England. "It meant a lot to have that reception from crowd today," said Smith. "It's been an amazing couple of months with World Cup and Ashes, cricket has been spectacular. " series has ebbed and flowed. I've loved every minute and I'm really proud of how I've been able to perform for Australia and to bring urn home." tourists won first Test at Edgbaston and fourth at Old Trafford while Stokes inspired England to victory in third Test at Heingley. second match, at Lord's, was drawn.

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