Aussies on top in Ashes finale despite catching woes

Australia is edging England at stumps on day one of the final Ashes Test despite dropping five catches after sending the hosts in to bat.

After bowling out a hasty England side for 283 runs at The Oval, the Australians batted with much greater caution en route to reaching the close of play on 1-61, scoring at 2.44 runs an over.

Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will resume on 26 and two respectively when play continues on day two, after David Warner impressed in the middle but ultimately threw away another start when he was caught in the slips on 24.

Australia is in a healthy position at stumps despite Warner, Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Mitchell Marsh and Todd Murphy dropping catches during England's rapid innings, in which the hosts charged along at 5.17 runs per over.

"Winning the toss and bowling, the first objective is to bowl them out," Murphy told Sky Sports at the close of play.

"We managed to do that.

"We created a lot of chances; it would've been nice if we could've held on to all of them.

"But it's a good day, all in all. To be 1-61 at the end is nice.

"As a spinner you just want to get into the game and be involved. It was nice to get in nice and early and do a little bit.

"When they're playing the sort of cricket that they are, it almost comes back to one-day cricket where you have to mix and match and be brave at times, and also be smart. Make sure when they're coming at you, it's on your terms."

Harry Brook was the best of England's batters, although even the young gun had a shaky innings.

The right-hander was dropped by Carey on five and twice edged through a gap in the slips.

He plundered 11 fours and two sixes as he carved out his fourth half-century of the series.

Lower-order batters Chris Woakes and Mark Wood struck 36 and 28 respectively, but Brook had barely any other support.

England, partly due to brilliant Australian bowling and partly due to irresponsible batting, lost its last seven wickets for 99 runs.

Mitchell Starc ended Ben Stokes innings' with a scintillating delivery — tearing in bowling over the wicket to the left-handed skipper, moving the ball through the air and off the seam, and uprooting his off stump.

MORE TO COME.