London: Alastair Cook stood defiant for five-and-a-half hours only to fall just before stumps at The Oval, with England staring at the near certainty of wide-margin defeat in the fifth Ashes Test on Saturday.


England skipper Alastair Cook reacts after losing his wicket a couple of overs before the end of third day's play of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval on Saturday. Pic/AFP 

England had to follow on 332 runs behind after being bowled out for 149 on the third morning — but Cook (85) then dug in for 234 balls, immovable against any bowler Australia deployed until going bat-pad to the sole over of part-time leg-spin from Steve Smith.