Incredible scenes unfold as England wins the fifth Ashes Test to draw against Australia

Green and gold fans have congratulated the Barmy Army as England won the fifth Ashes Test to draw with Australia after a ‘thrilling’ match.

England has regained some pride and Australia has retained the Ashes.

After rain ransacked much of the final day’s play at The Oval, incredible scenes unfolded as England won the fifth Ashes Test to draw the series against Australia.

There was relief and restrained jubilation from the gold and green corners of the famous London cricket ground as thousands of Australian fans jumped to their feet, in the knowledge they retained the historic urn, to congratulate England.

The crowds on day five of the fifth Ashes cricket Test match. Picture: AFP

The Barmy Army, the name given to England’s travelling cricket fans, went ballistic.

The trumpeter barely drew breath deliberately playing up the scales going up a semitone at a time as the sun exploded through the mackerel sky clouds.

Manic chants of “cheats, cheats, cheats” and booing from the England fans reverberated around the 27,500-capacity stadium - predictably - following Alex Carey’s stumping of Jonny Bairstow at the second Test at Lord’s.

The enthusiasm of halting a historic coup (Australia was dreaming of victory having last won an Ashes series in England in 2001, when they defeated the hosts 4-1 under Steve Waugh’s captaincy) carried around the South London stadium.

“In-ger-land, In-ger-land, In-ger-land …”

Steve Cope from Adelaide. Picture: Supplied

In true honour of the game for gentlemen, Australian fans congratulated jubilant England fans. And the English were polite back.

“We were two nil up in the series and didn’t win it, I’m gutted,” said deflated Adelaide fan Steve Cope, 59, taking a sip from one of his two pints of lager.

He shook the hand of an intoxicated but jubilant England fan.

England fan Mark Scott replied, “We’d have won if it wasn’t for the rain,” in reference to Australia retaining the Ashes after downpours prevented any play on the final day of the fourth test against England at Old Trafford.

“And by the way, David Warner’s a w****r,” he chortled, staggering off.

“F*****g cheats,” came the chorus from a passing phalanx of supporters cloaked in the flag of St George.

“But we’ve still got the urn, yeah, it’s still ours yeah, yeah?” Mr Cope bellowed back above the chaotic din of the crowd.

Suzanne Dousset from Queensland. Picture: Matthew Pover

“I don’t mind losing this match, it’s still been top class cricket, the rivalry is massive but it’s been mostly respectful and it’s been a great summer of cricket,” said Cassie Workman, 66, from Redfern in Sydney, NSW.

“We’re the better cricketers, but I will admit the Brits played well today at The Oval,” she said.

“We’re the winners as we still get to go home to the sunshine and they’ve still got to put up with England, the weather has been shocking, I’ve been wrapped in thermals for the entire series and it’s supposed to be summer,” she rued.

Earlier, England cricket star Stuart Broad took advantage of the four-hour rain break to find fiancee Saturday singer Mollie King in the stands. Together they chatted as he helped feed their baby daughter Annabella.

The final Ashes test of the series brings the curtain down on Broad’s 17-year career before retirement.

He took the final wicket with his last ever delivery.

Aussie cricket fans Ken bowden, deniliquin, Micheal Jones, Brisbane, Grayson Jones, 26, Prett Jones, David Reilly, Melbourne at  Ashes 3rd Test Match between England and Australia. Picture: Danielle Gusmaroli

Queenslander Suzanne Dousset was at the ground with daughter Deborah for a bucket list trip and hailed Broad’s performance.

“We’ve loved the banter, I don’t mind them calling us cheats and convicts, Stuart Broad is amazing, it’s been the best fun we’ve had in years,” she said.

“You’ve got to admire good cricket, it’s the best performance I’ve seen from both sides in years. Absolutely amazing.”

Grayson Jones, 25, from Brisbane, shook his head in quiet disappointment but conceded “It’s been a thrilling series. Great cricket is great cricket,” he said.

Aussie fan Brodie Taylor and his friends from Perth, all still proudly in the same stripy convict outfits they wore to Edgbaston, Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval, joked, “We didn’t steal the urn, we won that fair and square, rain or no rain,” he said.

Originally published as Incredible scenes unfold as England wins the fifth Ashes Test to draw against Australia