England must sour Australia's Ashes party by drawing series, says Craig Overton

Hard to watch: Craig Overton feels the pain as the Ashes slip away
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Will Macpherson9 September 2019

Craig Overton says England must show the same character in the final Test at The Oval this week that was on display at Old Trafford on Sunday to sour Australia’s Ashes party.

The visitors retained the Ashes on English soil for the first time in 18 years as a brave rearguard from the hosts fell short of saving the match. England can level the series 2-2 at The Oval, but Australia will keep hold of the urn, having won 4-0 Down Under 18 months ago.

Overton was one of three batsmen — Joe Denly and Jos Buttler were the others — to soak up more than 100 balls as he took England to within 81 balls of surviving. But after Jack Leach was caught at short leg, Josh Hazlewood pinned Overton in front to seal Australia’s victory by 185 runs.

“It’s obviously disappointing,” said Overton. “We set out at the start of the day to show some character and the boys did that. Everyone got stuck in to take it that deep on a day-five wicket against a world-class bowling attack. We are proud, but it’s disappointing that we couldn’t get over the line.”

Overton said that in a disappointed changing room, England’s players had resolved to win the last Test so Australia would not go home with the series win. A men’s Ashes series has not been drawn since 1972.

He added: “That’s been the message. It’s disappointing that we’ve lost, but the character we showed, [we must] take that to The Oval and make sure we get that win to stop them winning the series, only retaining.”

England’s selectors were due today to announce an unchanged squad for the final Test, which starts on Thursday, while Joe Root last night confirmed his belief that he is the right man to lead the side, despite failing to win the Ashes at the second attempt.

Change to the squad will wait until the tour of New Zealand in November, with players’ careers on the line at The Oval.

Root is helped by the dearth of candidates to replace him and the fact that Trevor Bayliss is leaving his post as head coach next week.

Bayliss will return to his native Australia next Wednesday, with director of cricket Ashley Giles beginning the recruitment process to replace him in earnest now. The focus is set to switch from ODI cricket to Tests, with the coach set to reflect that.

“I have been given a fantastic opportunity to captain the Test side and will continue to work very hard at doing my best at that,” said Root. “That is in my control and I have to make sure I keep getting this team into the best shape to win as many games as possible.”

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