Australia beat England by innings and 46 runs in final test but lose series 3-2

Australia quickly picked up the last two England wickets to secure a consolation victory in the final Ashes test at The Oval by an innings and 46 runs on Sunday.

England won the series 3-2 but Australia captain Michael Clarke celebrated an emphatic win on a rain-disrupted fourth day of his final test match.

The hosts resumed in the afternoon after more than two hours play was lost to the weather on 258 for eight and Peter Siddle soon bowled Stuart Broad for 11.

Siddle had Moeen Ali caught by wicketkeeper Peter Nevill for 35 to clinch victory and the Australian players gave Clarke a guard of honour as he led them off the field for the final time.

England, 203 for six overnight, lost their first wicket of the day when Mark Wood was trapped lbw by Siddle for six, the Australians winning a review after the umpire initially ruled it not out.

Jos Buttler, on 42, played a loose drive at Mitchell Marsh and was well caught low down by Mitchell Starc at extra cover before Moeen and Broad dug in ahead of the forecast rain which arrived 45 minutes before the scheduled lunch interval.

Siddle completed figures of 4-35 on his return to the Australian side.