England are sweating on the fitness of Moeen Ali and his injured groin with the hosts at risk of being without their chief spinner for the rest of the decisive fifth Ashes Test.

Moeen was hurt while running between the wickets in England's first innings on Thursday, and did not take the field in the final session on day one at The Oval.

England's medical staff will continue to monitor the injury on Friday after Moeen clearly struggled to run.

Likely to be playing in his final Test, Moeen loomed as a crucial component for England who are trying to win the match and level the series at 2-2.

The Oval wicket is renowned for taking turn and with Australia batting last spin is likely to play a big part.

Moeen was called out of retirement for this series and if this was to be his last offering, then the 36-year-old went down swinging.

After pulling up lame while attempting a run, Moeen opted to take the long handle to Australia rather than retire hurt.

He scored 23 from his next nine balls, hooking Pat Cummins for six and then upper-cutting the quick for another boundary.

As entertaining as it was, Moeen's decision to carry on prompted fears he may well be aware his chances of bowling in the match have already gone.

"That was his decision really," Harry Brook, who top-scored with 85 and was batting with Moeen at the time, said.

"As soon as the physio left the pitch he was like 'should I just tee off now and I said you should've been doing that from the start.'

"He is one of the best power hitters in the world and we have seen that in franchise cricket and white-ball cricket.

"Obviously he was in a fair bit of pain ... hopefully later in the game he might have a bit of a role to play."

If Moeen is unable to bowl, England would have to lean on Joe Root as their spin option after previously using him heavily in the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lord's.

England are already without Ben Stokes' bowling for this match due to his ongoing knee issues.

But they have picked four quicks in Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad and James Anderson, who turns 41 on Sunday.