Australia escape humiliation as bad light comes to the rescue

England were denied the chance to make Ashes history - and complete one of the most fearless chases in living memory - when the umpires took the sides off for bad light with the game minutes away from a thrilling climax. The home side, looking to turn their 3-0 series win into a dream 4-0 success over the Australians, required 21 in 24 balls when Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena produced the dreaded light meters and signalled the end of proceedings. It was an unlikely scenario after a turgid third day but its was a fitting end to what has been a memorable series. In doing so, the officials surely followed procedure to the letter but to deny a full house a natural conclusion to an unforgettable day of Test cricket at the Kia Oval felt like a sport fatally hamstrung by its own laws. That certainly seemed to be the view of the supporters, who roundly booed the decision - an ill-fitting end to a triumphant series win for Alastair Cook's side. Earlier, Australia finished off England's tail-enders shortly after lunch to give themselves a tricky lead. The hosts lead 3-0 in the series and, having avoided the follow-on, decided against a declaration with the fifth Test all-but certain to end in a draw as the hosts were bowled out for 377, leaving Australia 115 runs ahead. With all of Saturday's play lost to rain, Sunday's morning session was delayed by just 30 minutes as the last of the standing water was cleared away and Australia removed Chris Woakes, Ian Bell and Stuart Broad before lunch. A declaration at that stage would have been the only likely way of forcing some sort of result by the close of play, but England returned to the crease for the start of the second session. Matt Prior and James Anderson fell inside the first three overs after lunch with Graeme Swann the last man out as James Faulkner took four wickets on debut. Australia made an early breakthrough in their attempt to force an unlikely result as Woakes edged a delivery from Ryan Harris and gifted an easy catch to Michael Clarke. Bell could not record a fourth century of the series, falling for 45 and becoming Faulkner's first Test wicket in the process, as he was caught behind after some smart work from Brad Haddin. Prior came to the crease and eased into the game with consecutive fours to see the hosts past the follow-on target. But the home-side countinued to lose wickets at regular intervals with Faulkner picking up 3 more wickets to wrap up the England innings at 377, with a lead of 115. Having wrapped up the England innings, Australia needed to advance the game at pace if they were to have any chance of setting up any result other than a draw. The signs were positive, David Warner and Shane Watson opening with the more defensive Chris Rogers stood down. Anderson gave England the breakthrough and it was all his own work, pounding Warner's splice and taking a stunning one handed catch mid follow through. Graeme Swann needed just seven balls to join the fun, Watson falling to a steepling catch from Kevin Pietersen at long on. Australia's revised batting order, cobbled together on a seemingly ad-hoc basis, saw James Faulkner and Brad Haddin sent in at three and four. It was inventive, though hardly a roaring success. Broad dismissed both men, Haddin first ball and Faulkner for a bright 22, to leave the score 67 for four. Australia continued their devil-may-care approach, Broad happily cashing in with the wickets of Steve Smith and Ryan Harris in four overs. Smith's dismissal was the mirror of Watson, while Harris was castled by a yorker. Clarke managed 28 not out at a run a ball, to keep the score moving before Tea and eventually the declaration.