The 2023 Ashes cricket series concludes at The Oval starting on Thursday with Australia looking to win an away series in England for the first time since Steve Waugh’s team in 2001. Like in 2019 the Aussies head to London with the Ashes retained but they will be looking to go one better this time. They lost that game heavily to draw the series 2-2. England will be seeking to take the momentum from an excellent albeit truncated performance in Manchester, where surely only the weather denied them setting up a winner takes all series decider.
England Stick To The Same Team
The England cricket team have decided to go with an unchanged side after that dominant performance. The only grumblings surrounding England’s selection in some quarters surrounded veteran Jimmy Anderson who has had a quiet series by his incredibly high standards but he retains the trust of his captain and coach. Anderson, who turns 41 during the match is closing in on 700 Test wickets, remarkable for a seam bowler, bowled with great economy at Old Trafford but has lacked that wicket taking edge, or bit of luck at times. He and his team mates will be determined to square the series, something which would still be seen as a real achievement from 2-0 down obviously tinted with plenty of regret of what might have been.
Things Look Uncertain For Australia
Australia’s team doesn’t look so straightforward. They didn’t look balanced at Old Trafford but it could be argued the long batting line up helped secure the draw they needed but it’s hard to say the line up worked given they were thoroughly outplayed in the play possible. Question marks remain over opener David Warner’s form, he’s averaging just 25.1 in the series and you feel a decision must be made on which all rounder to select to make way for off spinner Todd Murphy. Mitchell Marsh is surely in the box seat ahead of Cameron Green given his impressive batting form since returning to the team. Australia’s bowling attack looked weary at Old Trafford and disappeared to all parts at times. This will be Australia’s sixth test in a relatively short period of time, this was starting to show last week.
The Australia cricket team don’t have a great record at The Oval but they gained a consolation win by innings there in 2015 and have tasted very recent success at the South London venue beating India to lift the Test World Championship mace little over six weeks ago. Plenty still rides on this clash for both teams after the disappointment and anti climax of the Manchester deluge it still promises to be an intriguing climax to a gripping series.
Team Lineups
England; Crawley, Duckett, Moeen Ali, Root, Brook, Stokes (C), Bairstow (WK), Woakes, Wood, Broad, Anderson
Australia (predicted); Warner, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith, Head, Marsh, Carey (WK), Starc, Cummins (C), Murphy.
Head to Head at The Oval; England wins 17, Australia wins 7, Draws 14.
