Fans denied thrilling Ashes finale as bad light ends test
England have won the Ashes series 3-0 but a thrilling end to the final match was thwarted by the rules around bad light.
England were denied the chance to make Ashes history – and complete one of the most fearless chases in living memory – when the umpires took the sides off for bad light with the game minutes away from a thrilling climax.
The home side, looking to turn their 3-0 series win into a dream 4-0 success over the Australians, required 21 in 24 balls when Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena produced the dreaded light meters and signalled the end of proceedings.
Boos
In doing so, the officials surely followed procedure to the letter but to deny a full house a natural conclusion to an unforgettable day of Test cricket at the Kia Oval felt like a sport fatally hamstrung by its own laws.
That certainly seemed to be the view of the supporters, who roundly booed the decision – an ill-fitting end to a triumphant series win for Alastair Cook’s side.
I’m very proud of what the boys have done – England Captain Alastair Cook
Captain Alastair Cook praised his players for winning the Ashes and also reserved credit for batsman Ian Bell who was named man of the series as well as England player of the series.
Mr Cook said of the Warwickshire batsman: “He was outstanding with his three hundreds at crucial times.
“Every one of those guys in the team can be proud of what they’ve done.
“I knew we had the opportunity to win the Ashes here in England and I’m very proud of what the boys have done.”
‘It feels pretty good’
James Anderson believes England will be even better when they play the return Ashes series in Australia this winter after securing a 3-0 victory after drawing the final Test at the Oval in controversial circumstances.
England were denied the chance to make Ashes history when the umpires took the sides off for bad light with the game minutes away from a thrilling climax and Anderson felt the large crowd were denied a fitting ending to the series.
The home side, looking to turn their 3-0 series win into a dream 4-0 success over the Australians, required 21 in 24 balls when Aleem Dar and Kumar
Dharmasena produced the dreaded light meters and signalled the end of proceedings.
I am delighted to have won the Ashes. It would have felt even better if we could have got the last few overs – James Anderson
Mr Anderson told Sky Sports Ashes: “We know we can go to Australia and play even better.
“It feels pretty good (to win the Ashes). It would have felt even better if we could have got the last few overs in there. I am delighted to have won the Ashes. Today was fantastic for the crowd.
“As it got closer and closer we really thought we could do it but unfortunately the light didn’t hold out.”
Despite the flat ending to the match Anderson said he would make the most of celebrating the series win.
“We are going to cherish this moment because it doesn’t happen every often.”
‘Second best’
Australia coach Darren Lehmann admitted his side had been second best.
“What we’ve got to do is play better,” he said.
“England outplayed us 3-0. We had our chances in the series and didn’t take them.”
Mr Lehmann, brought in just before the series following the sacking of Mickey Arthur, picked out his side’s batting as an area he would be looking at.
It’s been a great ride, I’ve liked every minute of it – Australia coach Darren Lehmann
“We’ve got to improve in areas that we know,” he added. “Our batting’s got to improve, we know that. The exciting thing for us is we are on our way up and now we’ve got to keep improving.
“From our point of view we’ve just got to get better at home.”
Mr Lehmann said of his first series as coach: “It’s been a great ride, I’ve liked every minute of it.
“We have to make sure we improve on the field and off it.”