The Ashes: England vs Australia
5th Test
The Oval, London
12th – 16th September 2019
BetXChange Odds:
Match Winner:
Match Preview:
Following the 4th Test at Old Trafford, the Ashes will be returning to Australia with Tim Paine’s side taking a 2-1 lead into the final match at the Oval. In what has been a topsy-turvy encounter, the baggy greens have carried a greater threat with the ball in hand and coupled with the brilliance of Steve Smith; they look to have a winning formula currently. For England, the realisation that they won’t be regaining the precious urn will surely be motivation to produce a big performance on a ground they have enjoyed multiple recent successes on. Both sides have plenty to play for going into the match at the Oval and with only a three day turnaround following the Old Trafford Test, managing both squads will be essential for the respective management teams.
Team Previews:
England are sure to be deflated following the result at Old Trafford, where despite their resilience; they were thoroughly outplayed. Stuart Broad and Jorfa Archer carry a serious threat with the new ball but options look limited after that with Chris Woakes and Craig Overton struggling for form. Young seamer Sam Curran could be called upon at the Oval (his home ground) to lift the English sprits. In the batting department, England have lacked the weight of runs with the likes of Joe Root, Joe Denly and Rory Burns all looking competent without necessarily kicking on and making match defining scores. In Ben Stokes however, they look to have the premiere all-rounder in world cricket and he could once again inspire his side when they need it most.
For Australia, leaving England with the Ashes in the bag will be a huge coup and they have Steve Smith to thank for it. The former captain has scored at least 70 in every innings he has played in the series so far and his contribution has been unmatched. In Matthew Wade and David Warner they have two men desperately out of form but probably won’t want to change a winning team. Their seem bowling department is also firing with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc sure to give England the hurry up once more and with Nathan Lyon not playing at the top of his game, they could perhaps look at Peter Siddle or James Pattinson as extra pace options to pressurise England.
Betting Tips
A hundred to be scored in the match – 0.20
This should be a high scoring encounter with Australia playing full of confidence with the Ashes in the bag and England should feel like they have nothing to lose.
England Top Batsman in the match: Joe Root – 3.00
Joe Root needs a performance personally for the sake of his captaincy and the Yorkshireman should stand up and be counted here.
England Top Bowler in the match: Jofra Archer – 2.75
This series has been all about Jofra Archer with the ball and the extra pace in the Oval pitch is sure to assist him.
Australia Top Batsman in the match: Steve Smith – 2.00
Steve Smith has dominated the English bowling attack throughout the series and with some of his best knocks previously coming at the Oval, he looks set to go big again here.
Australia Top Bowler in the match: Josh Hazlewood – 3.00
Josh Hazlewood has been the most consistent of the Australian seamers throughout the series and once again he will look to use the new ball to good effect here.
Match Prediction
With the destination of the Ashes wrapped up, both sides could rotate their squads a little but England will feel they have a point to prove and won’t want to lose the series. The performance of Steve Smith will once again have a huge bearing on the outcome of the game and with the momentum with Australia at this point, the Aussies should come through and win this one at 1.00 with BetXChange.com.
Top Betting Tip:
Australia to win the match and Steve Smith to be Australia’s top batsman – 2.50
