England sledge backfires spectacularly as Matthew Wade notches brilliant ton

Having peppered England with barbs throughout the Ashes, "s*** stirrer" Matthew Wade let his bat do the talking with a composed Test century that shored up his spot in Australia's unsettled top six.

As teammates folded at the Oval and Australia suffered a 135-run loss on Sunday, Wade became the first player from either side to reach three figures in the final Ashes Test.

WHAT A MOMENT: Steve Smith gets standing ovation in 'special' end to series

The Tasmanian's gutsy knock of 117 failed to conjure a miraculous victory but it all but ensured he will be part of selectors' plans for the home summer.

"That's a long way away ... I feel like I've shown in the heat of the battle, in a tough series against world-class bowlers, that I can stand up against them," Wade said.

His second ton of the series came after a spirited battle with express paceman Jofra Archer, the flashpoint of which came when the pair stood face to face.

Archer gave Hobart Hurricanes teammate Wade some unsolicited advice after tea, while Jonny Bairstow made his thoughts about the veteran clear in the morning session.

"Come on Leachy, let's have the s*** stirrer," Bairstow sledged.

Ben Stokes and Joe Root were among England's fielders to offer some golf claps when Wade reached his milestone, clipping a ball off his pads then scuttling through for a quick single.

Wade's near-constant chirp from short leg has been one of the soundtracks of this English summer.

"He's a great player, combative, cops a lot of stick for how much he says on the field," Tim Paine said.

"But it's one thing to talk ... as Matthew Wade has done his whole career, he also walks the walk."

Wade plays down sledging storm

The 31-year-old, who has reinvited himself as a specialist batsman since being dumped as Test keeper in 2017, suggested the issue of sledging has been overplayed in this Ashes.

"There was no abuse throughout this series - it was hard Test cricket," Wade said.

"It's been a tame series compared to other series I've played in.

"Once you walk off the ground, all is forgotten ... whatever happens on the ground, stays on the ground."

Bairstow missed a stumping chance off Root's part-time offspin but the pair combined to end Wade's resistance, which lasted 166 deliveries.

Root, who was heard on the stump microphone returning serve to Wade on Saturday, downplayed their verbal stoush.

"My one with Matthew Wade was not very entertaining. It probably looked a lot more entertaining on cameras than what was actually said," Root said.

"We were just having a conversation about how the series has gone and a few other things."