OVER TO STU AS STAGE SET

Dashing batters give retiring ace Broad perfect platform

- Gideon BROOKS

IF Stuart Broad's sense of theatre has not deserted him he will bring the curtain down on his England career and Ashes combat with a few lusty blows and a five-for.

And if all goes according to plan for the second-most successful bowler in England's history - he has 602 this morning - his Test career will also finish with a series-levelling victory here at The Oval.

England will resume this morning 377 ahead on 389-9 with Broad and Jimmy Anderson at the crease. Even if they add no more runs, the defences are almost certainly already too high for Australia to breach.

After walking from the pitch in glorious late evening sunshine, Broad confirmed his career is at an end in this, his 167th Test.

And given contributions in this series past, including 151 Ashes wickets, that 8-15 at Trent Bridge in 2015, eight five-fors against Australia including the 5-37 in 2009 that ignited his career, the curtain call will surely not be in a losing cause.