England vs Australia 5th Test Match Preview 2023

*THE ASHES- ENGLAND VS AUSTRALIA FIFTH TEST 2023 PREVIEW*

*THE BUILD UP:*

After a disappointing washout which saw Australia retain the urn, England were left with two choices. The first one being a case scenario where they continue to whine about the weather at Manchester and how they had the game under their grasp and control and the second one allowing them to act maturely as professionals, gather the courage again to see their side through and draw the series. Losing the Ashes Urn is a big miss and Stokes and co have every right to feel gutted about this but did they really expect the three lions to make a sensational comeback to win the last three on the bounce and win the series? That in itself was a bit of a drag given the pressure surrounding it and when you’re playing in England, never ever discount the surprises that the rain has to offer. It pours heavily and like chocolates falling from the sky, a sight which England would love to forget. 

The Australians have now kept the urn with them for 6 years straight and have every right to feel the dominance touch their skin. However, if the last two test matches are a sign to take seriously, then their underperformance and Cummins appearing clueless against proactive batting seems to be a matter of concern. The Aussie top order has looked out of sorts and has lacked consistency bigtime against express pace and with Woakes building upon his good form, things have been incredibly tough to handle for Australia. What would move around their heads leading upto this test is the unidimensional nature of the bowling as Pat Cummins on a flat track, was taken to the cleaners and leaked runs bigtime. Having such an economically poor game in a test match specially for a test great like Pat can be mentally exhausting and it would take big effort in order to come back strong. 

This Test Match offers much more than just a win. How England approach this with the rains looming over their heads and the backlash that they have received from the media would be interesting but an Aussie win here can settle the nerves and pave way for a resounding Aussie Ashes win in England after 2001. Whose side are you on? 

*ENG PROBABLE XI:*

Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Johnny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Stuard Broad, Mark Wood, Jimmy Anderson 

Jimmy Anderson has been picked by England again. They are banking upon his experience once again and the fact that he knows these grounds extremely well but is his presence in the side still worth it with Tongue still waiting in the wings? 
The veteran pacer has gone impact-less for three matches and despite the break which he got, the Jimmy effect has not been felt by Australia so far. In the last few years or so, the impact of Anderson vs Australia has also reduced by a huge mile and he needs to fire for the three lions in this final game if they want to have a better shot at keeping the humiliation low and draw the series. 

Excited to watch Crawley and Bairstow weave their magic with utter proactive and Aggresive batting. They made Australia look absolutely clueless with Cummins being smacked for over 6 an over and being under the pump. What we saw from the duo was some outrageous hitting which wasn’t easy to forget. The pitch should remain flatter like it has been all these test matches which would allow the opener and the wicket keeper bat to ride on the run hitting momentum and try to dismantle the Aussie bowling again, making it a demolition twice in a row. 

Ben Stokes and his captaincy will be watched more than his allround skills this test. After the innumerable critical perspectives thrown at him for failing to seal the deal in the first two Ashes tests itself, expect him to be more funkier than expected. Whatever he does, needs to be backed by result in order for his side to come out on top and make sure 2019 is repeated. Stokes, the batter has also been in fine nick and could really take control of the proceedings in the middle. 

*AUS PROBABLE XI:*

Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood 

Uzzie Khawaja, after showing some incredible hitting form in the first two tests has fallen off the radar slightly with just 77 runs under his belt in the last four innings(the third and the fourth test matches). He has faced some serious trouble vs Wood, the express pacer who has been a thorn for Australia ever since he started featuring in this Ashes series. His style of batting, relying on the old and traditional method has paid dividends and has been one of the key reasons why Australia got an early sniff in this series. Banking on that, he’d be eyeing a strong finish to the series. 

Unfortunate but I feel Australia will have to drop one out of Cameron Green or David Warner, two cricketers who are yet to set the stage on fire this Ashes. The casualty in my opinion, could be the fast bowling all rounder specially with the backing that Davey has had from Cummins. This will allow Australia to fit a spinner in, something they lacked bigtime last test and though Murphy has been average, he holds the ability to take the game away with his crafty off spin. You need a spinner in England in order to control the game and Murphy could be a tempting option for the visitors, as they aim to give England a scare and conclude with a 3-1 scoreline. 

Marnus finally ended the rut and scored his first away Ashes century in dire circumstances when the men from downunder needed his expertise the most. He has found his groove again which are good signs for Australia. His partner however was seen struggling and has been exposed to the nip backer coming in at a good pace but the genius that Steve smith is will make sure that he doesn’t stay quite for long and deliver one final time to cap off this English tour. 

*MY PREDICTIONS:*

*FOR ENG:*
Highest run getter- Zak Crawley/Ben Stokes 

Highest wicket taker- Mark Wood/Chris Woakes 

*FOR AUS:*
Highest run getter- Marnus Labuschagne/Steven Smith 

Highest wicket taker- Mitchell Starc/Todd Murphy 

*FOR THE GAME:*
England to win it