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The Fifth Test of the 2023 Ashes series is set up to be yet another belter despite Australia retaining the urn with the Old Trafford test finishing in a draw due to rain. Our Ashes betting tips are back to run the rule over the encounter at The Oval as England look to avoid a first series defeat at home to the Aussies since 2001. England will take great confidence from their performance in the fourth test when they established a first innings lead of 275, which would have put them in an unassailable position if play was not affected by the weather.
Zak Crawley silenced his critics with a world class knock of 189 from just 182 balls to keep the barmy army believing that the series was alive. Chris Woakes continued his excellent return to the side with a five-wicket haul in the first innings, but the Aussies were stronger in the second and contributions from Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh ensured that the Ashes were retained.
There is a chance that all three possible results in the match hit prices of 2/1 or greater across the course of the match, with the draw 3/1 at the time of writing despite some concerns about the forecast again. Keeping a close eye on how the market reacts in-play could lead to bettors finding attractive prices for all three outcomes across the course of the match.
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England vs Australia: The Ashes Fifth Test Team News
England unchanged for the first time in the series
James Anderson keeps his place in the side despite only taking four wickets in the three matches he has played in so far at an average of 76.75. The swing bowler, who will turn 41 on Day 4 of the match, has been selected over Ollie Robinson, who has taken ten wickets in the series at 28.40, and Josh Tongue, who took five wickets in the second test at 30.20. There was a chance that England would draft in a new number three for the final test, with Moeen Ali only thought to be a short term solution, but they remain very focused on drawing series and have chosen what they believe to be their strongest side.
Green to drop out again after poor tour
Cameron Green has taken just five wickets in three test matches at an average of 47 and scored just 103 runs in that time, averaging 20.60. The 24-year-old has been upstaged by Marsh, and arguably even Woakes in the all-rounder department, and may come out for the fifth test if the Aussies want to bring off break bowler Todd Murphy back in. Green is sure to be a success for Australia in the long term but outside of some sharp catches in the gully, it has been a series to forget. Scott Boland may also be considered for a return after Mitchell Starc picked up a shoulder knock in the fourth test.
The Ashes Fifth Test Betting Tips
hungry england the more tempting
England are in a similar situation to 2019 when they entered the final test of the series 2-1 down and they came back to deny the Aussies a first series victory on English soil since 2001. There are plenty of survivors from that series remaining in the England side and they will feel like they have unfinished business and entertaining to attend to. It was an utterly dominant performance at Old Trafford, especially in scoring 592 with the bat and confidence should be high in their middle order, while Ali chipped in with an important fifty as well.
It could be a match too far for the Australian bowling attack, having played the World Test Championship final just before the Ashes it will feel like six matches back-to-back for some. Steve Smith has had a very disappointing series with the bat and England will be keen to keep it that way, while should Boland come in to freshen up Pat Cummins’ bowling options, he only took two wickets at an average of 115.50 in his two matches in the series.
There is a world where this is the final test match for James Anderson, Stuart Broad and even Moeen Ali, who came out of test retirement this summer, the former will be desperate to make his mark after a very frustrating series from a personal point of view.
The Ashes Fifth Test
27th July
start time 11:00 England to WinThe Ashes Betting Tips top match batter
Ben Stokes
Stokes has found a lovely rhythm to his batting in the series and could definitely end up being the fifth test’s top run scorer. He is making a greater impact with the bat while he cannot with the ball at the moment, and the captain is a juicy 12/1 to score the most runs in the match. Stokes is content coming into bat and slowing the pace down a touch to help his side and is only 25 runs behind series leading scorer Zak Crawley. This anchoring role, and the way he bats with the tail, makes him a very attractive price to be top match batter in our Ashes betting tips.
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The Ashes betting tips top match bowler
Chris Woakes
There is a good chance that Woakes bowls more over than any other England bowler, and certainly seamer, in this match. Broad and Anderson can no longer be relied upon to bowl the long spells they have in years gone by while Mark Wood will likely be utilised in short, sharp bursts. That leaves Woakes to take on an important role in the middle of an innings, and his numbers in his two matches in the series so far have been brilliant, taking 12 wickets at an average of 19.50. The 34-year-old is also fresh off the back of his first five-wicket haul in Ashes cricket.
Woakes can step up to take the new ball if Stokes deems it necessary during the match and should the match go as England hope, they will end up taking more wickets than the Australian bowlers. 5/1 looks generous with the rich vein of form Woakes is in right now.
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The Ashes betting tips longshot
No Century in the match
There have been seven centuries so far in the series and no player has scored more than one. That averages out at 1.75 centuries per match, which makes 6/1 look a big price for the match to finish without a batter reaching three figures. Mitchell Marsh was the only batter to hit one in the third test in an anomaly of an innings compared to how the other players on both sides fared.
Usman Khawaja has not looked the same since the first two tests and while Travis Head and Harry Brook have looked capable throughout the series, neither of the duo has gone past 77. Marnus Labuschagne arrived in the series with an excellent second innings century at Old Trafford, but it was his first in a test match in England while Smith is averaging just 31 for the series.
England’s batters do not tend to decelerate as they approach three figures and there is typically something in the pitch for the bowlers at The Oval.
Back No Century in Match @ 6/1 on bet365
THE ASHES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHEN IS THE ASHES?
For those looking to tune into the Ashes, the good news is that the next series is right around the corner. The first Test of the next Ashes series starts on Friday 16th June. Australia are the current holder after their thumping 4-0 win in the last series.
WHEN DOES THE ASHES START in 2023?
It’s been a long build-up but the 2023 Ashes is now upon us. The first test gets underway on Friday 16th June with play starting at 11 am. The series will run through June and July with the final test ending on 31st July.
HOW OFTEN IS THE ASHES?
The Ashes is a sporting spectacle to savour because it doesn’t come around every few months. The series is played every two years, alternating between the United Kingdom and Australia. The next series starts at Edgbaston, Birmingham on Friday 16th June.
WHAT ARE THE ASHES?
Put simply, the Ashes is the best event that cricket has to offer. Old rivals, England and Australia, contend against each other over the course of five Test matches with each lasting five days. The current holders are Australia and should the series end in a draw, then they will retain the urn – the small trophy that is presented to the winners.
HOW TO WATCH THE ASHES?
For those who still have their Sky Sports subscription from the football season, you’re in luck. Every single minute of The Ashes will be live on Sky Sports Cricket and available to be live-streamed on Sky Go. There is also a one-hour highlights session each evening recapping the day’s action.
