Kevin Pietersen hit 158 and Ashley Giles 59 before England were bowled out for 335 with a final series result of 2-1, snuffing out Australian hopes of victory.

Australia batted for just four balls before bad light intervened, and a draw was eventually declared by the umpires.

The result brings to an end a series many have dubbed the "best ever".

The Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair led the tributes to captain Michael Vaughan and his victorious team after the match.

There will be a victory parade tomorrow - but the champagne flowed as soon as Vaughan lifted the tiny brown Ashes urn aloft and the team was were showered in ticker tape and streamers.

The players then completed a victory lap of the Oval pitch to salute the 23,000-strong crowd that had roared them on all day.

Fans had spread onto the roofs and balconies of houses around the south London ground, and also celebrated in style, as did the country at large.

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