The Australians already knew a monumental task awaited them when they trudged off the field at stumps on day three of the fifth and final Ashes Test.
Then came Stuart Broad’s massive retirement shock, the champion England quick announcing the Ashes finale would be his Test swansong.
That revelation made the job on Australia’s hands at The Oval even more difficult, given Pat Cummins is now staring down the challenge of his side chasing at least 377 runs against an England XI inspired by a desire to send off Broad a winner.
“Tomorrow or Monday will be my last day of cricket. It’s been a wonderful ride, a huge privilege to wear the Nottinghamshire and the England badge as much as I have,” Broad told Sky Sports.
“I’m loving cricket as much as I ever have.
“It’s been such a wonderful series to be a part of and I’ve always wanted to finish at the top and this series just feels like it’s been one of the most enjoyable and entertaining I’ve been a part of.”
Fittingly, Broad and old pal James Anderson walked off together when stumps on day three were called, having helped England to 9-389 and a lead of 377.
There’s been no indication yet that Ben Stokes will declare overnight, but the England skipper could make that call just before play is scheduled to resume to make things even tougher for David Warner and Usman Khawaja.
The fact the highest successful Test run chase at The Oval is 263, achieved by England in 1902, does not bode well for Australia’s victory push.
But the visitors could draw hope from the fact the highest successful Test run chase in England is 404, achieved by Sir Donald Bradman’s Invincibles at Headingley in 1948.
Zak Crawley, Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow inflicted the bulk of the damage on day three at The Oval.
Crawley tapped into the domination he’d displayed in his knock of 189 from 182 at Old Trafford, plundering 73 from 76.
The signs were ominous for Australia as England churned out 130 runs in the first session for the loss of just Ben Duckett, hurtling along at 5.20 runs an over.
Crawley departed in the second over after lunch when he nicked a Cummins delivery to Steve Smith at first slip, but Root strode to the middle and peeled off 91 from 106.
The former England captain survived a review for lbw when he was on just four, remaining at the crease after umpire Joel Wilson’s not-out decision was upheld because less than 50 per cent of the ball had impacted in line.
Josh Hazlewood’s delivery had struck Root’s front pad before his bat, and DRS predicted the ball would have smashed into off.
MORE TO COME.
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