Harry Brook believes England can claim ‘moral victory’ in Ashes at Oval

Batsman says in spite of losing urn to Australia in Old Trafford washout, there is still lots to play for in this week's fifth Test

England batsman Harry Brook hits out against Australia during the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Getty

Harry Brook wants to end England’s Ashes summer on a high and believes levelling the series at the Kia Oval would represent “a moral victory” over Australia.

The tourists already know they will be lifting the urn at the end of this week’s fifth Test, with their current 2-1 lead enough to guarantee they retain as holders.

They are still aiming to pull off an outright victory to become the first Australian men’s side to win a series on English soil since 2001, but England can ensure their achievement rings hollow if they make it 2-2 in south London.

After winning at Headingley and dominating the first three days at Old Trafford before rain robbed them, Ben Stokes’ men want to prove they have had the better of the contest.

“We were dominating the game last week so, if the game had played out, I would like to think we would have won. If we can win this week, it almost makes it a moral victory,” Brook said.

“That would be lovely. It’s not nice drawing, but it would be lovely to not give them that privilege.

“We’re just gonna go out there and play the same way we have in this series. It’s a shame the weather ruined it for us because we’d have felt very confident going into this game at 2-2. The rain won last week.

“We were thinking that (we deserved something) last week when it was pouring down in Manchester. It never seems to be sunny there.”

Brook has registered three half-centuries and scored 271 runs across seven Ashes innings, but would love a big score to finish the series.

On his match-winning 75 at Headingley, the Yorkshireman said: “On a personal note, one of my favourite innings, in a crunch game, at my home ground, to have contributed a significant amount was nice.

“There are so many things I have learnt this series and to play some of the best bowlers in the world, I haven’t got a big score but feel I have contributed in a few games now.

“I know I am at my best when I am trying to be positive, not just trying to survive. A couple of times I feel like I have been reckless, especially that innings at Lord’s in the first innings and then some innings where I’ve been tentative and not trying to score. It is just about getting it right.

“I have definitely got used to them (the Australian bowlers), I haven’t faced them before this series so it takes time but I feel I have watched enough and faced enough to go out there and feel confident now.”

Day five of Ashes fourth Test - in pictures

England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum on the pitch on Day 5 of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Getty

Covers protect the pitch as the rain falls at Old Trafford. PA

Australia captain pat Cummins gives the thumbs up to fans. Getty

England players Stuart Broad and James Anderson show their frustration. Getty

England captain Ben Stokes watches the rain fall from the players' balcony on Day 5 of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford on July 23, 2023. The match was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled and Australia retain the Ashes as a result. Getty

England players James Anderson, Ben Duckett and Moeen Ali in the rain at Old Trafford. Getty

England's Harry Brook, left, and England's Zak Crawley sign autographs as rain delays play. AFP

Ben Stokes of England walks off the pitch as the rain starts to fall again at Old Trafford. Getty

Fans play cricket behind the stands at Old Trafford. PA

England's Jonny Bairstow returns to the dressing room as the rain starts again. PA

Fans sit in the stands at Old Trafford. Reuters

A cricket fan waits in the rain at Old Trafford. Getty

Fans play cricket behind the stands at Old Trafford. PA