Australia continue to dominate at the Oval

Earlier, a ninth-wicket stand of 57 between Moeen Ali and Mark Wood saved just a few, but not many, of England’s blushes before the same pair both fell to Johnson in a fitting anti-climax to an unsatisfactory batting display.

England at least have the consolation of having already won the Ashes at 3-1 up in the five-match series.

Steven Smith scored his second hundred of the series as Australia piled up an impressive 481 in the first innings of the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at The Oval on Friday.

England captain Alastair Cook was the first wicket to fall when he was bowled by a handsome offspinning delivery by Lyon.

Peter Siddle began his second innings bowling spell with 34 dot balls and the dismissal of Lyth before he conceded a run, while part-time spinner Steve Smith was the man who got Cook to prod at a ball that looped to Voges at silly mid-off.

While Australia’s captain-in-waiting Smith and his soon-to-be deputy Warner enjoyed productive days, it was another forgettable outing for retiring skipper Michael Clarke.

Smith notched his first test century at The Oval two years ago, the start of a barrage of heavy scoring that took him to No. 1 in the test batting rankings until recently.

Bairstow appeared to be somewhat unfortunate, as the ball struck Adam Voges’ helmet before he took the caught but the Yorkshireman was sent on his way.

The Yorkshire opener has only scored 105 runs in eight innings and will surely need a big score in the second innings to have any chance of retaining his place this winter.

England are eight down for 107 on board and trail by 393 runs. Ian Bell (13) was jittery in the post-lunch session surviving a review as well.

“It is disappointing that we can’t win the series but Michael said before this Test match that he wanted a lot of fight and character from us”, said Smith.

Joe Root, England’s leading run-scorer this series, then became the latest home batsman this match to give his wicket away playing a careless cross-bat shot when a top-edged pull off Johnson flew straight to Starc at fine leg. Root’s exit for 11 left England 99 for three.

But on 19 he donated his wicket when, off Siddle’s second-ball loosener, he pulled to Mitchell Starc, running round from mid-on.

Lyon (2-52) got Bairstow with a loopy delivery that got the inside edge and was caught at short leg ending the 41-run partnership.

His six-and-a-half-hour innings, which included 17 fours and two sixes, eventually ended when he dragged an intended drive off fast bowler Steven Finn onto his stumps.