So, it has all boiled down to the fifth and the final test match between Australia
and England to decide the fate of this year's Ashes. With the teams tied at one
match apiece, the Oval ground in London will see the decider being played. After
their abysmal performance at Headingley, England needs to win the game
to regain the Ashes, while Australia could do with a draw to retain the urn.
Click for Live Score Card of Australia vs England
By the looks of things, England has more than a problem or two awaiting them
as they approach Oval. For one, Andrew Flintoff's fitness is not yet known,
though, it has been said that he should be fit for the final game. With Kevin
Pietersen out of the series with his Achilles Heel injury, and Ravi Bopara
and Paul Collingwood's form taking a bad tumble, the English side are in a more
than a spot of bother. There have been talks of the likes of Mark Ramprakash
making a comeback into the side after not having played a test match for seven
years, as has been the chance of Jonathon Trott making his test debut in place
of Bopara.
The bowling also looks to be a bit up and down, and there is every likelihood
that Steve Harmison may not play in the game; replaced by the player
he had replaced - Flintoff.
For Australia, it is all falling into place. The batting had been firing all
cylinders for most games has found its touch even under the swinging conditions
of Headingley, whereas the bowling is looking much more potent all of a sudden.
Mitchell Johnson has found his touch and his swing, while Peter Siddle
looked like he was going to topple a few more heads than he actually did in
the previous game.
The batting also looks good suddenly, and with the exception of Michael
Hussey, everyone else looks to be in nick. Shane Watson was a virtual
no-hoper in the opening slot, but he has scored three successive half centuries,
and suddenly Phil Hughes has been forgotten like a bad dream! Michael Clarke
is in the form of his life, and Marcus North does not look like he is only in
his second series, as his couple of centuries and a man-of-the-match award has
already exhibited.
The problem with Hussey is that there is nothing perceptible about his lack
of runs, and the chances of Clarke getting a promotion over him are high. Yet,
even with one out-of-form batsman, Australia look firm favourites to clinch
the Ashes!
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