A draw in the fourth Test saw Australia retain the Ashes heading into the final Test at the Oval. A result for Australia will secure their first Ashes victory on English soil in 22 years, so there is plenty to play for in London!
Check out our 4th Test review, 5th Test preview & Ashes betting tips below. Good luck to everyone following!
Ashes 5th Test Betting Tips
The Oval, Thursday 27th July - Monday 31st July
4th Test Review
England won a third consecutive toss, and chose to send the Aussies in on day one at Old Trafford. Marnus Labuschagne (51), Steve Smith (41), Travis Head (48) and Mitch Marsh (51) all got starts, but failed to kick on as the Australians were bowled out for 307.
Chris Woakes was the pick of the English bowlers, taking 5/62 to ensure the Aussies were well under par in good batting conditions. On day 2 Australia copped the full force of Bazball as Zak Crawley (189), Joe Root (84), Harry Brook (61) and Moen Ali (51) blasted the Australians to all parts as England ended the day well in control at 4/384.
Jonny Bairstow (99 not out) and Ben Stokes (51) added some quick runs early on day 3, as England were bowled out for 592, giving England a 275 run lead. Three wickets from Mark Wood had Australia on the ropes at stumps on day 3, with the Aussies reeling at 4/133, still 162 runs behind.
Rain restricted play to just 30 overs on day four, with Marnus Labuschagne’s fighting 111 getting the Australians to day five with five wickets still in hand. Labuschagne combined with Mitch Marsh (31* off 107) to put on a 103 run partnership for the fifth wicket.
The partnership proved to be of the utmost significance as rain washed out the entirety of day five, securing a draw and ensuring the urn remained in Australia’s possession for the fourth consecutive series.
Australia
Australia made a bold call at selection, going without a front line spinner for the first time since 2012. Australia copped plenty of criticism with picking two all rounders in Green and Marsh instead of a spinner, however had Australia’s batsmen capitalised on their starts, they would have found themselves in a far stronger position.
In saying this, Australia has to make some tactical adjustments after a horror performance across the first innings in Manchester. Given Mitch Marsh produced another good game with the bat, it looks likely Cameron Green will make way for Todd Murphy to give Australia more variety with the ball. There are some concerns around Marsh who had soreness early on day three, however his efforts with the bat suggest he should be able to get through the next test.
The rain provided Australia’s bowlers an extra two days rest, which will prove crucial for Mitchel Starc’s bid to be fit for the fifth Test. Andrew McDonald expects Starc to be ready to play, but there has been plenty of buzz around Michael Neser who will likely come in if Hazlewood or Starc can’t get up.
Australia Predicted XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins, Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood
England
England have confirmed they will take the same fourteen man squad into the fifth Test at the Oval. James Anderson continued his poor series taking just one wicket, and given a series victory is gone, Josh Tongue or Ollie Robinson are in the frame to replace the struggling veteran. Anderson has taken 4/307 at an average of 76 this series, with England's greatest wicket taker failing to prove a threat at any point during the series.
England’s batsmen were excellent in Manchester so it’s unlikely they make a change to their batting line up. Moen Ali looked comfortable at number three, and alongside Chris Woakes has given England an abundance of flexibility with both bat and ball.
England Predicted XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson
Match Prediction
Once again the English weather looks set to play a role with rain expected in London on days one and two, however it doesn’t look anywhere near as bad as it was in Manchester. With England having nothing to gain, Bazball could go to a whole new level, which will provide Australia with plenty of opportunities as it did in the opening two Tests of the series.
Momentum is certainly with England, however Australia will have a renewed focus heading into the fifth Test. Australia missed an opportunity in 2019, and they’ll be desperate to ensure they leave England with a series victory, not just retaining the Ashes. If Australia’s top order can convert their starts, they will be in a strong position to seal a 3-1 series victory.
Cummins' side found a way against the odds in a series decider in Pakistan in early 2022, and under McDonald's reign they have found a way to get the job done more often then not. This will be an epic finale to a dramatic series, but Australia will finish with a victory at The Oval.
