The Cricketer looks at the main talking points from day five of the fifth Ashes Test between England and Australia at the Kia Oval
Jonny Bairstow has come under heavy scrutiny for his ability and performances behind the stumps. You'd be forgiven for thinking Ben Foakes was the greatest gloveman in history if the discourse around the subject was any indication.
The Yorkshireman provided some balance to the debate with a smart display behind the stumps during the fifth Test and on day five produced the outstanding individual moment as England hunted victory as the evening drew in.
With Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey together, five wickets in hand and 110 needed, Australia were still very much in the ascendency.
Moeen Ali got Marsh coming forward, the ball flick his gloves, ricocheted off the pad and flew to Bairstow's right. He changed direction quickly, and full length pulled off a brilliant one-handed catch - one of the grabs of the series.
It came amid a run of four wickets for 11 runs in 18 balls, ripping the heart out of the Australia chase.
Jonny Bairstow celebrates on England's way to victory in the fifth Test (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
For much of the final throes of Stuart Broad's cricket career, it looked liked being an underwhelming occasion.
Indeed, it was Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali who were stealing the show until the ball was thrown his way after 82 overs.
It was a vintage bowling display from the Nottinghamshire veteran, getting the ball to nip away off the seam and providing Australia's lower order with a myriad of issues.
Fitting finales and perfect swansongs are for Hollywood scripts, not sporting events. They are rare occurrences and have to be cherished.
Five years on from Sir Alastair Cook's century drawing a line under his England career at the Kia Oval, Broad was able to do the same.
First, Todd Murphy and then Alex Carey were removed in the space of 11 balls - Bairstow taking both catches - to give Broad the exclamation mark his career deserves.
Broad struck twice in the space of 11 balls to see off Australia (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
After the Covid-affected 2021/22 series was won 4-0 by Australia, it felt as though something has been lost from Tests between these two sides.
But the manner of this summer's matches - and not just because of Bazball - has injected new life into England v Australia.
This was a series of many dramatic moments - England's declaration at Edgbaston, Australia's new-ball burst at Lord's, Mark Wood's impact at Headingley, the rain of Manchester and Broad's grand finale to name a few - that captivated audiences and decided Tests.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said: "Everyone has wanted to talk about the cricket. How good is that? I was a bit young for 2005, but it feels like this might be right up there."
Test cricket is under threat and while the Ashes remain among the more important contests on the calendar, any opportunity to instil it with fresh vitality must be welcomed. And both sides and the sets of players have certainly done that.
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