Australia narrowed their margin of defeat in the Ashes to 3-2 by completing a comprehensive innings-and-46-run victory over England at The Oval on Sunday.

Inclement weather looked to be the only thing that could possibly stop Australia from registering a consolation win in the fifth and final Test, given England resumed in a perilous position on 203-6 in their second innings, still 129 runs shy of making their opponents bat again.

A lengthy rain delay did hold up the tourists after they had picked up the early wickets of nightwatchman Mark Wood (6) and Jos Buttler (42) on day four.

Yet the clouds cleared to allow a resumption at 3pm local time and Australia duly finished things off by dismissing England for 286.

As a result, retiring Australia captain Michael Clarke bows out of international cricket on a winning note, although England are unlikely to be too concerned with the manner of this loss given they had already regained the urn at Trent Bridge last time out.

Buttler and Wood were charged with leading the hosts' initial defiance on Sunday after skipper Alastair Cook's gritty innings of 85 had been brought to an end by Steve Smith in the closing overs of day three.

England's seventh-wicket pair added 18 to the overnight total with relative comfort, only to then fall in quick succession.

Wood was plumb lbw to Peter Siddle (4-35), although Australia were required to utilise a review with umpire Kumar Dharmasena seemingly under the impression there had been an inside edge as bat hit pad.

Having demonstrated battling qualities en route to his highest score of a frustrating series with the bat, Buttler then tossed his wicket away as he carelessly chipped Mitchell Marsh (2-56) to mid-off.

Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad shared 35 before the heavens opened to raise hopes that England could escape with a draw, given Monday's miserable forecast.

However, play was able to resume in the afternoon and the unerringly accurate Siddle struck with his second ball after the break to bowl Broad for 11.

And fittingly it was Siddle, Australia's star bowler in his only outing in this rubber, who ended the match by having Moeen caught behind for 35 by Peter Nevill - sealing Australia's second convincing win of the series.

Clarke was afforded a warm reception as he left the field for the final time to a guard of honour from his team-mates, who will now move forward under the leadership of Smith.