August 1st 2023.
Australia legend Glenn McGrath has called for an investigation into the ball change during England's Ashes-levelling victory over Australia at the Oval. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting was the first to speak out, and now Glenn McGrath has joined calls for an official investigation.
The images showed the old ball, knocked out of shape when Mark Wood hit Usman Khawaja on the helmet, was replaced by a newer, shinier one. McGrath agrees that this is something the ICC should 'look into', though he accepted the ball change was not 'the reason' England rallied to win the Test.
With the aim of winning an Ashes series in England for the first time since 2001, Australia reached 140-0 in pursuit of 384. England looked flat and unthreatening with the ball on day four as Australia's openers made untroubled progress, but a ball change aided the hosts and they took three quick wickets at the start of day five. Steve Smith and Travis Head both made contributions in a 95-run partnership to steady the chase, before a rain delay caused Australia to collapse and fall just 49 runs short.
England's victory was sealed by retiring England legend Stuart Broad, who took the final two wickets to prevent Australia from ending their long wait for an Ashes triumph on these shores. Broad announced his retirement during the Test, bringing an end to a sensational career that produced 604 wickets in 167 matches.
McGrath praised Broad for his achievements, noting that both Australia and England will miss him: "England are not going to be the only ones who will miss the retiring Stuart Broad. Australia may have always cast him as the villain but that is only because we respect him. Taking the final two wickets of the fifth Ashes Test to draw an incredible series is a fitting end for a bowler I cannot speak highly enough about. His phenomenal statistics - 604 wickets in 167 Tests - speak for themselves. They are a testament to his mental desire, skill and longevity."
England were facing a first home Ashes defeat in over 20 years as Australia clinched narrow victories in the first two Tests. But Ben Stokes' side kept the series alive with a three-wicket win at Headingley before dominating during a fourth Test wash-out at Old Trafford. Australia retained the Ashes as a result of the Manchester rain but were unable to win the series outright as England won at the Oval to secure a thrilling draw.
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