A stunning last-ditch spell from Chris Woakes has inspired England to an incredible hard-fought win in the fifth Test, snaring an Ashes draw and saving face on a fittingly drama-filled final day at The Oval.

Australia made their urn retention official but will have to wait for their place in history after failing to convert a 2-0 lead into their first series triumph on English soil in 22 years.

The home side gave retiring star Stuart Broad, who claimed the match-winning wicket, the perfect send-off in front of a raucous London faithful, securing a remarkable series turnaround with a four-wicket half-hour blitz off the back of a lengthy rain delay.

Australia looked in prime position to pull off the eighth-highest run chase in Test history after the delay, needing 149 runs with seven wickets in hand and Steve Smith batting well at a ground he averages over 90 at.

But a gut-busting and scintillating display of seam and swing from a man who was overlooked for the first two Tests, paid heed to Australia’s dreams, bowling them out for 334, 49 runs short of the 384-run target.

The final day started under dark, swirling clouds as England fell in love with their replacement ball in the opening half-hour as it seamed and swung.

Woakes was buzzing as he found David Warner’s outside edge on 60 with a beauty before utilising the wobble seam to trap Usman Khawaja plumb in his next over, despite the Aussie using an overzealous review.

Marnus Labuschagne improved his method from the first innings, making it to double digits within 20 balls.

But it did little good as he departed for an unlucky 13 as Mark Wood caught his outside edge again.

The swing and seam proved a trojan horse against Travis Head, though, as he scored freely, released from the short-ball barrages he had been greeted with all series.

Australia had swung the momentum back in their favour as drama struck in the penultimate over before Lunch.

Minds were cast back to Herschelle Gibbs at the 1999 World Cup as Ben Stokes inadvertently pulled off his best impression.

Moeen Ali got an offie to spit out of the wicket and grab Smith’s glove.

The ball ballooned tamely into the air.

The English skipper timed his jump to perfection at leg slip, stretching out his hand and snatching the ball.

But he went the early crow, bringing the ball down and attempted to throw it back up in celebration in one go.

His hand brushed his knee, knocking the ball loose and onto the floor.

Bizarrely, he chose to review the ball to ensure Smith gloved it, adding insult to injury.

The game was put on ice for two hours as rain struck London, and when it stopped, 47 overs were put on the board for the final session.

Australia started casually, knocking singles off the spinner and keeping Woakes out, but as Smith brought up back-to-back half centuries, Ali got a loopy full ball to rip away from Head, catching his outside edge to first slip on 43.

The game began slipping away from Australia as Ali made it three wickets in 16 balls - with Woakes catching the outside of Smith’s bat on 54 - after Mitchell Marsh got an inside edge on another turner.

Jonny Bairstow completed the wicket with a brilliant one-handed reaction catch behind the stumps.

Mitchell Starc’s wicket didn’t require anything special as he wafted at a drive and nicked off for a duck.

Pat Cummins appeared to be setting himself as he did at Edgbaston, attacking anything loose.

But this time, his luck was out.

He tried to make Ali pay for dropping short, but an under-edge hit his pad and squirted to Stokes, who did not repeat his earlier blunder.

Australia remained positive as Todd Murphy determinedly strode to the wicket, using his feet and strokes to keep the score moving and England’s fielders on their toes.

Broad had the crowd on their feet as he bowled his heart out in his final spell as an international cricketer, sending Murphy back to the sheds for 18 with a picture-perfect out-swinger.

The veteran thought he had the match-winning wicket when he caught Carey’s outside edge, but a groan rang around the arena as Zak Crawley put it down.

The fans didn’t have to wait long, though, as he got Carey in his next over caught behind to complete a deserved fairy-tale ending.