The Ashes / Andy Morris / 19 August 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

So, it all boils down to the fifth and the final test match to be played at the Oval, to decide who will kiss the urn at the end of the Ashes this year, and despite being the more dominant side of the two till now, England will need to do all the running. The Headingley loss would have hit the hosts in the right areas - from the Australian perspective - and with the scoreline reading 1-1, England has to overturn the morale and win the game to regain the Ashes, writes Andy Morris.

Australia:

The team with the momentum, the team with the least of selection worries, and the team that most certainly looks favourites to retain the Ashes, is undoubtedly Australia. For the first three games, their bowling lacked the firepower and the conviction to scythe through twenty opposition wickets. The Australian batsmen had shown signs of being flat track bullies, but without getting rid of the opposition twenty wickets, the win had been elusive. Stuart Clark's much delayed inclusion into the side and Mitchell Johnson's much desired finding of form ensured that the Aussies could run through the English batting like a hot knife through butter.

Australia may need to change their bowling line-up a bit if the conditions at the Oval demand so, bringing in a Nathan Hauritz or a Brett Lee depending on whether the ball is going to turn or show signs of reversing. But another school of thought is that the winning combination should not be tinkered with and Australia may retain the same bowling attack.

The batting looks to be in fine fettle with Michael Clarke and Marcus North leading the way. Michael Hussey's form is a worry, but he has been at his chirpy best during press conferences, which is probably a sign that he is doing well with his confidence. Shane Watson's successive half centuries at the top have saved Australia the embarrassment of having landed in England with only two specialist openers!

England:

Much water has flowed in the English Channel since they won the Lord's test match. The batting has continued to fall apart, and in the absence of Andrew Flintoff, the bowling hadn't looked as penetrative at Headingley. Flintoff should be back for the Oval game, what should be his swansong, but it is the batting that will be a cause for concern for the hosts.

Apart from Andrew Strauss at the top, not too many batsmen have looked like having mastered the conditions or the Australian bowlers. Ravi Bopara has already proved Shane Warne's pre-series prediction right and has made way for little-known Jonathon Trott, who will make his debut in this crucial tie. Ian Bell's ton for Warwickshire will hold him in good stead when he goes out to bat at a familiar number three position, and with no Warne to bowl to him, he could hold the key. Alastair Cook too needs to buckle up and going with a big one, as Matt Prior looks to be burdened with too much on his plat at number six.

It does look like that for now, Australia will start as favourites in the game, but they can be rest assured that England will come hard at the tourists. Gaining momentum and sustaining it through the rest of the game will hold the key!

Tags: Ashes, Australia, Cricket, England