By Matt Burrows
England are on the cusp of an innings defeat to Australia in the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval after they were made to follow-on, finishing the third day 129 runs behind their opponents.
Alastair Cook was England's last hope after his side fell to 141-5, but he was dismissed for 85 late in the day to send them to the verge of an enormous loss – and Australia into raptures.
England captain Cook needed to stay in if England were to have any chance of salvaging the Test and avoiding what would be a sobering end to a largely successful series that saw them reclaim the Ashes.
The hosts were again left to rue some poor batting as Adam Lyth, Ian Bell and Joe Root all fell for disappointing totals, while Ben Stokes capped off a disappointing match as he lost his wicket without troubling the scorekeepers.
The day started off well for England, with ninth-wicket pair Moeen Ali and Mark Wood adding 47 runs to their first innings total before Mitchell Johnson finished England off with two wickets in two balls.
Australian captain Michael Clarke enforced the follow-on at that point, and it wasn't long before opener Adam Lyth was dismissed for yet another dismal total of 10 – his highest score this series has been 37.
From that moment Australia's win looked a formality; they continued to pick up wickets just as it looked like England's batsmen were finding their rhythm, and finally claimed the all-important wicket of Cook with two overs remaining in the day.
Peter Siddle began his second innings bowling spell with 34 dot balls and the dismissal of Lyth before he conceded a run, while part-time spinner Steve Smith was the man who got Cook to prod at a ball that looped to Voges at silly mid-off.
The match is likely to be wrapped up tomorrow as Michael Clarke's men attempt to dismiss England for less than the 312 runs they require to put Australia back in to bat.
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