Never in this Ashes series did England buzz in the field as they did on Saturday afternoon. They ran around and radiated intent and reduced Australia to 4-44. If only England had buzzed like that in Australia's first innings, instead of their second, they might be going to the Oval 2-1 up, not down.

Whenever the Australians have been in the field, they have radiated collective purpose: their previous four teams had lost the Ashes in England, but not this time. England have been less dynamic and driven, except for this passage of play at Old Trafford when Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer pounded in for nine-over opening spells and England briefly appeared to be the stronger team.

Jason Gillespie would be a good fit as England's Test cricket coach. Credit:AAP

It was a passionate speech by Ben Stokes in the huddle that had roused the England players. With obvious eloquence, England's Test vice-captain said the Ashes are on the line, it is now or never, we can still win this game. Had Stokes been able to bowl, he might just have taken over from Broad and Archer, charged through the breach and stormed the castle for the second time in a row.

Stokes is the natural leader in the England dressing room. It can be said the diversity of character is insufficient in England's Test team, not in their 50-over team, where different sorts of people approach a problem from different backgrounds and angles.