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Ashes 2013: Australia Tactics Deny England Fifth Test Win At Oval (PICTURES)

3-0 To The En-ger-land
Samuel Luckhurst
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Matt Prior of England talks with umpires Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena as they take a light reading during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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England ended the 2013 Ashes Test series as 3-0 victors over Australia as play finished on an underwhelming note on the fifth and final day at the Oval due to bad light.

Umpires Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena took the players off with England needing 21 runs off four overs with five wickets in hand to howls of booing from England supporters.

After England were bowled out for 377 - their highest this summer - in their first innings on the fifth day, Australia declared on 111 for six at 16:20 in a bid to win one Ashes Test. Their hosts were left with 44 overs to score 227 runs for an unprecedented 4-0 victory.

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Alastair Cook hoists the urn on the final day

Joe Root lasted 22 runs of England's second innings before Kevin Pietersen strode out to the crease.

On his home turf, the Surrey batsman was rampant. Mitchell Starc, continuing the Australian trend for expensive Mitchells, was hammered to all corners of the ground as Pietersen hit the fastest half-century for an Englishman in a home Ashes Test. He was ably supported by Jonathan Trott for a 77 partnership to give England a tangible chance of triumphing.

Ryan Harris, the outstanding player for the tourists this summer, eventually dismissed Pietersen for 61 off 57 and Trott ended on 59 after James Faulkner trapped him lbw, leaving it to Ian Bell and debutant Chris Woakes to continue the run chase.

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Pietersen hit a maverick 50

Captain Michael Clarke and Australia's vocal barbs lobbed at England earlier this week backfired as the economical but unthreatening Shane Watson was brought on in a bid to stymie England's momentum. Watson deliberately bowled two wides to augment the hypocrisy and was warned by Dar, while Clarke conferred regularly. The skipper declined to use the Trevor Chappell tactic, however.

Final Ashes Test, Oval
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(01 of39)
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Fireworks are set off as England lift the Ashes Urn (credit:PA)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(02 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Alastair Cook of England lifts the urn after winning the Ashes during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(03 of39)
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Fireworks are set off as England lift the Ashes Urn (credit:PA)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(04 of39)
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Fireworks are set off as England lift the Ashes Urn (credit:PA)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(05 of39)
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Fireworks are set off as England lift the Ashes Urn (credit:PA)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(06 of39)
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Fireworks are set off as England lift the Ashes Urn (credit:PA)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(07 of39)
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Fireworks are set off as England lift the Ashes Urn (credit:PA)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(08 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Chris Woakes of England edges to Michael Clarke of Australia and is dismissed by Ryan Harris during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Australia's Ryan Harris (3rd R) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England's Chris Woakes for 25 runs during play on the fifth day of the fifth Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia at The Oval cricket ground in London on August 25, 2013. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON --RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB-- (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(10 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Brad Haddin of Australia catches out Ian Bell of England during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(11 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: James Faulkner of Australia celebrates the wicket of Ian Bell of England during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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England's Stuart Broad is bowled by Australia's Mitchell Starc (not pictured) during play on the fifth day of the fifth Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia at the Oval in London on August 25, 2013. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTON --RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB-- (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
CRICKET-ENG-AUS-ASHES(13 of39)
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Australia's Mitchell Starc (C) celebrates with Australia's David Warner (L) after bowling England's Stuart Broad (R) during play on the fifth day of the fifth Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia at the Oval in London on August 25, 2013. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK --RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB-- (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(14 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Matt Prior of England hits out during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(15 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Matt Prior of England misses a short pitched delivery during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(16 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Matt Prior of England stumbles after fending off a bouncer from Ryan Harris of Australia during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(17 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Brad Haddin of Australia drops a chance to catch out James Anderson of England during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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England's Graeme Swann is bowled by Australia's James Faulkner (not pictured) during play on the fifth day of the fifth Ashes cricket test match between England and Australia at the Oval in London on August 25, 2013. Ian Bell helped England avoid the follow-on as the fifth Ashes Test headed towards a draw on Sunday's final day at The Oval. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK --RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO ASSOCIATION WITH DIRECT COMPETITOR OF SPONSOR, PARTNER, OR SUPPLIER OF THE ECB-- (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(19 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: James Anderson of England celebrates after taking the wicket of David Warner of Australia during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(20 of39)
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England's James Anderson takes the catch of Australia's David Warner off his own bowling during day five of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(21 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: James Anderson of England reacts after seeing Stuart Broad fail to take a catch to dismiss Shane Watson of Australia (not in picture) during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(22 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: James Faulkner of Australia looks back as a ball stays low past wicketkeeper Matt Prior of England during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(23 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Graeme Swann of England celebrates the catch to dismiss Steve Smith of Australia during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(24 of39)
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Australia's Ryan Harris is clean bowled by England's Stuart Broad during day five of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(25 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Joe Root of England looks dejected after being dismissed by Ryan Harris of Australia during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(26 of39)
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England's Alastair Cook leaves the field after losing his wicket, lbw for 34 during day five of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(27 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Kevin Pietersen of England hits out watched by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin of Australia during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(28 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Kevin Pietersen of England drives down the ground during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(29 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Kevin Pietersen of England is struck by a delivery from Mitchell Starc of Australia during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(30 of39)
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Local residents set up a deckchair on a nearby rooftop during day five of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Four - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(31 of39)
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Local residents hang a sign out of their window as rain delays day four of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(32 of39)
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England's Kevin Pietersen celebrates scoring 50 not out during day five of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(33 of39)
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England's Kevin Pietersen celebrates scoring 50 not out during day five of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(34 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Umpires Aleem Dar (R) and Kumar Dharmasena take a light reading during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(35 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Michael Clarke of Australia talks to umpire Kumar Dharmasena during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(36 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Michael Clarke of Australia remonstrates with Umpire Aleem Dar before bad light ended the match during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
England v Australia: 5th Investec Ashes Test - Day Five(37 of39)
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LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Matt Prior of England talks with umpires Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena as they take a light reading during day five of the 5th Investec Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Kia Oval on August 25, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(38 of39)
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Australia's captain Michael Clarke leads his players off after bad light stops play during day five of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)
Cricket - Fifth Investec Ashes Test - Day Five - England v Australia - The Kia Oval(39 of39)
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England's Chris Woakes and Matt Prior walk off after bad light stops play during day five of the Fifth Investec Ashes Test match at The Kia Oval, London. (credit:PA)

Starc, so inept at bowling, opted for time-wasting, and was heckled more mercilessly by beery Englishmen. He momentarily silenced them with the brilliant run out of Ian Bell in what proved to be the final act. Australia's stalling had worked.

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