England v Australia 5th Test day three report: Joe Denly & Ben Stokes combine to extend England's lead at the Oval
Joe Denly and Ben Stokes combined to help England build up a lead of 382 with two wickets remaining by the end of day three as they look to win the final Ashes Test.
Scorecard - England lead by 382
England 294 all out (Buttler 70, Root 57; Marsh 5-45, Cummins 3-84)
Australia 225 all out (Smith 80; Archer 6-62)
England 313-8 (Denly 94 Stokes 67; Lyon 3-65)
The urn might have gone but the chance to build a series-levelling advantage sits in front of England, for whom new father Denly lead the way at The Oval.
Denly, whose wife Stacy gave birth to their second child on Thursday night, showed no signs of sleeplessness as he came agonisingly close to his maiden Test century, falling for 94 after his best effort yet in an England shirt.
Ben Stokes, playing as a specialist batsman, added 67 as England were cruising until a flurry of late wickets, including two spectacular Australia catches in two balls, saw them close on 313-8 and a lead of 382.
With two days still left to play, a result is more than likely and some quick runs by the last three England batsmen will set up what could be a record run chase for Australia if they are to clinch a first Ashes series win on English soil since 2001.
Nathan Lyon was responsible for both of Australia's earlier breakthroughs in the morning session, Rory Burns caught behind for 20 and captain Joe Root nicking to slip late in the morning session for 21.
A rarity for England this Ashes series then saw them go untroubled through an entire session as they put on 105 without loss before striding off for tea in a solid position as they look to square the series.
Stokes joined Denly at the crease and they two combined for an unbeaten third wicket partnership of 106 runs
Australia have been guilty of numerous dropped catches during the series and squandered an excellent chance to dismiss Ben Stokes shortly after lunch.
A thick edge from Stokes following a Lyon delivery flew to Smith at chest height but the ball burst through his hands.
With Denly closing in on a first Test century, Stokes was dismissed for 67 as Lyon claimed his third wicket of the innings - clean bowling England's Headingley hero with a delivery which spun sharply and clattered into middle and off.
Denly (93) and Stokes put on 127 for the third wicket to move England on to 214-3 and a lead of 283.
There was to be no maiden Test ton for Denly as he fell six runs short. The opener was caught at slip by Smith, having edged a delivery from Peter Siddle.
Spectators at The Oval afforded the 33-year-old a standing ovation as he walked back to the pavilion with England leading by 291 runs on 222-4.
Jonny Bairstow was the next man out following a fine catch from Smith. Smith took the ball with two hands low to his left after Bairstow, on 14, edged Marsh's delivery to first slip.
Australia's hopes of bowling out England before stumps appeared to be slipping away but they made a further breakthrough when Cummins claimed his 28th wicket of the series.
Sam Curran was the man dismissed, caught behind by diving wicketkeeper Paine for 17.
England, with Buttler (31) and Chris Woakes (four) at the crease, were 286-6 at the end of the 82nd over, 355 runs ahead.
Not content with starring with the bat, Australia talisman Smith pulled off a stunning catch to remove Woakes.
Smith dived full stretch to his right at second slip to take the ball one-handed after Woakes wildly thrashed at a delivery from Marsh - echoing Burns' grab to remove Siddle on Friday evening.
It proved to a be double whammy for the home side when Buttler was out next ball.
Buttler, who would have been dismissed for 19 had Australia reviewed an earlier lbw call, pulled a top edge off Siddle and was caught inches from the ground by Labuschagne to fall three runs short of 50.
Jofra Archer (three) and Jack Leach (five) negotiated the final three overs of the day following the dismissals of Woakes and Buttler, to see England close on 313-8 with a lead of 382.