Australia captain Pat Cummins insisted on Wednesday that his side remains hugely motivated to complete a long-awaited Ashes series win in England, even though they have already retained the urn. The tourists head into a fifth and final Test at The Oval starting Thursday, 2-1 up after last week’s Old Trafford washout denied a dominant England the chance to claim a series-levelling win.

Australia’s 22-year wait

Australia, as the holders, are assured of retaining the Ashes. But the goal of a first Ashes series win away to England since 2001, a run that spans five tours, remains in their sights. Fast bowler Cummins said the circumstances were different this time and that ending a 22-year wait for an Ashes series win in England would be the ideal way to finish a tour that started at The Oval with Australia’s victory over India in the World Test Championship final.