The Final test contributed by David Wiseman. Any Comments?

All to play for as the Ashes heads to the Oval 

For a long time the Ashes was on the horizon but now four of the five Tests have been played and it all comes down to the Oval. It is the first time since 1965/66 that the Ashes is all square heading to the final Test match of the series.  
 
The form of both sides has fluctuated but now Australia are firmly in the box seat. You would think that the Ashes 2009 is going to be a good one for them unless England can make some sort of a remarkable turnaround. 

Injuries have been cruel to England with their two best players sitting on the sidelines. Andrew Flintoff will be back in the Oval but he was sorely missed at Headingley. The same applies to Kevin Pietersen who was a shadow of himself for the first three Tests.  

There is no doubt that neither Ravi Bopara and Ian Bell have the skills to handle the intensity of Ashes cricket. They lack the temperament to excel but the problem for England is that there really isn't anyone else they can call up. 

As for Australia, Michael Clarke is in great form and Mitchell Johnson looks to be doing great.  

Having a look at the odds at England doesn't have many friends with the bookmakers. It is at 5.6 to win the Test while Australia is at 2.44. Ben Hilfenhaus is at 1.97 to be the leading Australian wicket-taker for the series. He has a two wicket lead over Peter Siddle and Johnson. Those three are the three leading wicket takers for the series which is why the two teams are now gulfs apart. 

England are struggling with both the bat and ball and need someone to stand up and make runs. Unless it comes from Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, it doesn't look like coming from anywhere else. Who knows if England would have won at Lords if the openers hadn't combined for a 196 run opening stand? 

It all isn't doom and gloom for England and they still have a chance to make history. If that is to be the case, they need to play attacking positive cricket. They have a good record at the Oval against Australia but that has been with mostly dead rubbers. How will they be when the series is on the line? Can they deal with the pressure and the tension?

David Wiseman is a freelance writer and journalist who writes for Betfair Australia. He is hoping to recoup some of his cricket betting losses on this weeks final ashes test.

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All to play for as the Ashes heads to the Oval 

For a long time the Ashes was on the horizon but now four of the five Tests have been played and it all comes down to the Oval. It is the first time since 1965/66 that the Ashes is all square heading to the final Test match of the series.  
 
The form of both sides has fluctuated but now Australia are firmly in the box seat. You would think that the Ashes 2009 is going to be a good one for them unless England can make some sort of a remarkable turnaround. 

Injuries have been cruel to England with their two best players sitting on the sidelines. Andrew Flintoff will be back in the Oval but he was sorely missed at Headingley. The same applies to Kevin Pietersen who was a shadow of himself for the first three Tests.  

There is no doubt that neither Ravi Bopara and Ian Bell have the skills to handle the intensity of Ashes cricket. They lack the temperament to excel but the problem for England is that there really isn't anyone else they can call up. 

As for Australia, Michael Clarke is in great form and Mitchell Johnson looks to be doing great.  

Having a look at the odds at England doesn't have many friends with the bookmakers. It is at 5.6 to win the Test while Australia is at 2.44. Ben Hilfenhaus is at 1.97 to be the leading Australian wicket-taker for the series. He has a two wicket lead over Peter Siddle and Johnson. Those three are the three leading wicket takers for the series which is why the two teams are now gulfs apart. 

England are struggling with both the bat and ball and need someone to stand up and make runs. Unless it comes from Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, it doesn't look like coming from anywhere else. Who knows if England would have won at Lords if the openers hadn't combined for a 196 run opening stand? 

It all isn't doom and gloom for England and they still have a chance to make history. If that is to be the case, they need to play attacking positive cricket. They have a good record at the Oval against Australia but that has been with mostly dead rubbers. How will they be when the series is on the line? Can they deal with the pressure and the tension?

David Wiseman is a freelance writer and journalist who writes for Betfair Australia. He is hoping to recoup some of his cricket betting losses on this weeks final ashes test.

 to make history..

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Comments

[Gordon]

Good piece of syndication there, J2O.
Great, informed comment and proper spelling for once, a rarety on The Gambler's spontanous mouthings.

[jamie]

Its not well informed at all - Pietersen only played two tests

[Dennis]

Oh dear. This could be a classic! Perhaps not surprising when you see the "He is hoping to recoup some of his cricket betting losses on this weeks final ashes test" at the bottom.

[mhurst]

Those three are the three leading wicket takers for the series which is why the two teams are now gulfs apart.

comments like that often come back to haunt you!!!

[Darren Blair]

Great post! Thanks for the information.