England Must Win at The Oval to Win the Ashes

Earlier in the summer, Nathan Lynch told you told you to back England to win the Ashes, now it comes down to just one test at The Oval from Thursday. England must win, a draw will see the Aussies retain the Ashes. Can England do it?

The Ashes: England v Australia, fifth Test
Aug 20-24 2009, Kennington Oval, London
TV: Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports HD1
Radio: BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio Four (Long Wave)
Web: Live scores and updates @ RacingDiary.co.uk

This it it, The Ashes or Bust!

The Daily Telegraph is the best source of Ashes news and they are reporting that;

The return of Andrew Flintoff means England will likely return to their favoured line-up: five batsmen (with Jonathan Trott replacing Ravi Bopara), three all-rounders (Flintoff, Matt Prior and Stuart Broad), and three specialist bowlers. James Anderson and Graeme Swann will be two of those, while Graeme Onions, Monty Panesar, Steve Harmison and Ryan Sidebottom are in contention for the final bowling spot.

I would suggest that England should have made more changes, in the batting department. Cook and Bell have been disappointing this summer and playing it safe by the selectors will either be justified or prove a disaster. Cook and Bell have to deliver. Personally speaking I would have brought in Ramprakash who is in great form, and lets face it would’t do worse than these guys did at Headingley. Trott may inject some runs, but I am not in favour of South Africans playing for England.

Harmison was bowling pies at Headingley but he has a good record at The Oval and is respected, if not quite feared, by the Aussies. Whoever the selector choose to wear the England cap, they have a duty to deliver and to play the game of their lives. Andrew Strauss has stepped up to the plate with the bat and has proved himself a good, stable and worthy captain of England. At least he is an Englishman! He is in the mould of Atherton and Hussain, calm and studious and I think deserves to lead England to the Ashes. But you only win it by playing well as a team.

You have to say based on Leeds, the Aussies are a shoe-in. Based on the other three tests England have a huge chance. What was the missing factor at Headingley? Andrew Flintoff? Is he that vital to England? Probably in my view! Let’s get the issue of it being Freddie’s final test match out of the way, we can deal with that after the match. It is all about winning the Ashes for England, a point not lost on Flintoff who says;

“For the past week I have been getting fit for this Test match. It will be the biggest I have ever played, not because it’s been my last but because of the position of the series.”

Flintoff Back for The Oval Test

Andrew Flintoff could win the match for England and the Aussies know it. The hopes of England rest with Flintoff and he is probably the only member of the squad able to shoulder that responsibility. The Aussies must have hoped he missed the match but it is the lift Flintoff gives to the team that could swing it our way. I think England can win it, but Australia, in my view will make it tough as a draw is good enough.

The Odds (Best odds);

• England- 4/1
• Australia- 6/4
• Draw- 13/10

The most likely result, I think is a draw. Two of the four tests have been, but I think England are a great bet at 4/1. Momentum is with Ricky Ponting’s men but a good start by England will see those odds, in play, shorten. Therefore I advise backing England to Win The Ashes on Betfair, with a view to trading for a profit (if you don’t want to be brave).

Former England Captain and 2005 Ashes Winner Michael Vaughan speaking to The Daily Telegraph on the test; click to play

Here is what The Aussies are saying;

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