This Ashes series has been the most captivating in living memory

English counties usually sell only the first four days in advance but Surrey anticipated demand and put all five on sale in November, selling out by March.

"We saw the problem of a fifth day that might decide the Ashes," Surrey chief executive Paul Sheldon told the BBC.

"There will be disappointed people but we avoid administrative and policing nightmares of 50,000 being locked out."

The third Test at Old Trafford witnessed chaotic scenes on the final day, when more than 15,000 people hoping to see the conclusion of another dramatic encounter were turned away.

Crowds flock to third Test climax

Tickets for the first four days of the final Test at The Oval went on sale as they normally do in early November, and were sold out by the end of the month.

When you get Five Live's football correspondent Mike Ingham saying on the radio at an England football match 'we should really apologise for the interlude in what is really important at the moment, the cricket,' it really is a very exciting time Surrey's Paul Sheldon

But Surrey decided to put the final day on sale at the same time.

"I don't think any ground in the world in the history of Test cricket has sold out a fifth day in advance before, certainly not in England," he said.

"This way we say 'sorry, we're sold out, we can't sell any more' and avoid havoc in Kennington!

"We felt our customers couldn't lose, because we'd give them a full refund if for whatever reason the fifth day didn't happen."

Sheldon admitted that the threat of hugely inflated prices for tickets from touts and internet sales was a concern.

"Sadly there isn't enough we can do," he said. "They are going to be at a premium."

Those who are not lucky enough to obtain match tickets will again be able to watch on a big screen close to the grounds, continuing a scheme partly organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Fans can watch the weekend of the Trent Bridge Test at Wollaton Park, Nottingham and the final Ashes weekend can be seen on Clapham Common.

ECB marketing manager Tom Harrison said: "It will give those fans that can't get tickets the chance to join in and experience the unprecedented excitement of this Ashes series with thousands of others.

"If they're anything like the previous events, they'll be fantastic!"