Australia's captain in waiting, Steve Smith, believed his team-mates produced their best bowling display of the series to leave a consolation victory looking all but certain in the final Ashes Test at The Oval.

England regained the urn at Trent Bridge earlier this month when they opened up an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match rubber.

Yet Alastair Cook's side appear set to suffer a heavy defeat in south London after slumping to 107-8 in reply to Australia's 481 all out.

The recalled duo of Mitchell Marsh and Peter Siddle led the way for the tourists, returning 3-18 and 2-18 respectively as England collapsed alarmingly in the evening session on day two.

Smith - who will succeed Michael Clarke as Australia skipper when the latter retires after this Test - told Sky Sports: "That's the best we've bowled all series.

"We created pressure, made them earn their runs and got eight wickets, so it speaks for itself. 

"We didn't over-attack too much, we put the ball in the right spot. You've got to make the batters earn their runs, I thought we did it really well today."

Smith made the most substantial contribution to Australia's hefty first-innings total, advancing from an overnight score of 78 to 143.

The 26-year-old batsman, who survived a let-off when he was caught behind off a Steven Finn no-ball on 92, was pleased to be back among the runs after following a double-century in the second Test at Lord's with four consecutive single-figure scores.

"I was disappointed not to get more runs in the third and fourth Test, but pleased to get some today," Smith added.

"It was quite tough early yesterday morning. I couldn't get in a real rhythm for my first 20 runs but the more time you spend out there, it gets easier. It was part of my game plan to wait for balls to hit."

Australia look set to have the option of enforcing the follow-on, with England 374 runs in arrears.

Asked whether Australia would opt to bat again, Smith replied: "It's not my job yet, Michael Clarke's got to decide!"