Rain comes to England's rescue in Ashes finale

LONDON: Rain went to England's guide with Australia on the precarious edge of an innings triumph on the fourth day of the fifth and last Ashes Test at The Oval on Sunday. 

Britain, taking after on, were 258 for eight in their second innings when downpour prompted an early lunch.

Moeen Ali was 17 not out and Stuart Broad 10 not out, with England still 74 keeps running behind Australia's first innings 481, which included commander choose Steven Smith's 143.

Play continued Sunday underneath dark skies and it was not much sooner than the floodlights were exchanged on.

The inquiry was could England, who had effectively won the Ashes at 3-1 up in the five-match arrangement, hang on sufficiently long with the bat for the gauge terrible climate to help them in their mission for a draw which would deny Australia commander Michael Clarke a triumph in his last match before retirement.

Britain began Sunday on 203 for six, still 129 keeps running behind, having endured the blow of losing skipper Alastair Cook late on Saturday for 85 after his marathon innings of more than five-and-a-half hours was finished when the left-given opener tumbled to low maintenance leg-spinner Smith.

Jos Buttler was 33 not out and nightwatchman Mark Wood nothing not out.

Australia, an over far from the new ball, took it when they could and very quickly had an achievement when the amazing Peter Siddle, playing his first match of this arrangement, had Wood lbw for six - despite the fact that it required an audit of umpire Kumar Dharmasena's introductory choice to affirm the rejection.

The way Siddle - just playing this match after Josh Hazlewood was harmed - knocked down some pins with both pace and control on his approach to lunch figures of two for 25 in 22 overs, including 12 ladies, made the accomplished seamer's oversight from the past four Tests all the all the more shocking, regardless of the possibility that Australia extraordinary Shane Warne marked his determination at The Oval a "frenzy" measure.

Britain's 221 for seven was soon changed into 223 for eight after Buttler, on 42, tamely chipped all-rounder Mitchell Marsh low to Mitchell Starc at mid-off.

The wicket-attendant batted for barely shy of over two hours, confronting 107 balls with four fours.

It was Buttler's best score of the arrangement yet England required more from their gloveman on Sunday. (AFP)