In the final Ashes Test at The Oval, Ben Stokes provided a crucial chance to Steve Smith, which could have changed the course of the match. Australia was at 238-3 at lunch, needing 146 more runs to achieve a challenging target of 384 runs. Before lunch, Smith was on 39 when he gloved off-spinner Moeen Ali onto his thigh.

The ball looped to England captain Stokes at leg gully, who made a one-handed attempt to grab it above his head. Unfortunately, as he brought his hand down, it accidentally clipped his leg, resulting in a dropped catch. Initially given not out, a review confirmed Stokes’s mistake. At lunch, Smith was 40 not out, while Travis Head remained unbeaten on 31.

Earlier in the day, Chris Woakes made a remarkable contribution by removing Australia’s openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja in a quick and decisive burst. Mark Wood added to the pressure by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne, catching him in the slips. Australia, who had already retained the Ashes with a 2-1 lead, resumed their innings at 135-0, with Warner on 58 and Khawaja on 69.

Stuart Broad, who announced his retirement after the match, also took on the bowling attack, aiming to dismiss Warner for the 18th time in Tests. Woakes, however, made the vital breakthrough by inducing an edge off Warner’s bat, resulting in a catch for wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. Khawaja followed soon after, being trapped lbw by Woakes. Later, Wood dismissed Labuschagne, and England continued to apply pressure.

If Australia manages to reach the target, it will be the eighth-highest fourth-innings total in any Test and the second-highest in England, behind Australia’s 404-3 at Headingley in 1948. Additionally, it will set a new ground record for the highest successful fourth-innings chase at The Oval, surpassing England’s 263-9 against Australia in 1902.