Ashes 2023: ENG vs AUS 5th Test Preview, Playing XI, Live Streaming Details & Updates

Australia have retained the Ashes, leading the series 2-1.

Published - 26 Jul 2023, 17:29 IST | Updated - 26 Jul 2023, 18:03 IST

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England and Australia will lock horns in the fifth Test of the Ashes 2023 from Thursday, July 27 at Kennington Oval, London. Australia have already got the coveted ‘urn’ as they retained the Ashes after the fourth Test in Manchester ended in a draw due to rain. The Pat Cummins-led side has retained the Ashes for the second consecutive time in England, having drawn the series 2-2 in 2019.

However, heading into the fifth game, Australia will be eager to win or draw the final match and win their first Ashes series in England since 2001. They were recently crowned the World Test Champions, beating India in the final at the same venue as the upcoming Test. Hence, the entire squad will be eager to tick off their bucket list with an Ashes series win in England.

On the other hand, England will be ruing the missed opportunity to level the series in Manchester after rain played spoilsport on the last two days. Playing under immense pressure after being 1-2 down, the Ben Stokes led-side did everything right as they look a massive 275-run lead in the first innings and had enough time to bowl Australia out but somehow the rain gods did not seem pleased with England’s fightback.

Having lost the chance to regain the urn, England will look to maintain their unbeaten record in Ashes at home since 2001. Heading into the series, there were several questions on the effectiveness of England’s ‘Bazball’ approach against Australia’s famed pace attack. However, Ben Stokes’ men have proven their naysayers wrong time and again. England now face their toughest task of avoiding a series loss at home but will be up for the challenge and won’t allow Aussies to go home with a series win easily.

Pitch and Conditions

The Oval has traditionally been one of the best batting tracks in England. It is expected to help the home side to continue their ultra-aggressive approach. In the 106 Tests played at the venue, the teams batting first having an upper hand with 39 wins. Therefore, the captain winning the toss is likely to bat first unless there are overcast conditions. Talking about the weather, the forecast for the fifth Test also isn’t too good, with heavy chances of rain on first, third and fifth day.

Probable Playing XI For ENG vs AUS

England

England have announced their playing XI and have named an unchanged team. England was expected to drop James Anderson who has looked off-colour throughout the series. However, the team management has once again stuck with the veteran seamer.

Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonnathan Bairstow (wk), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

Australia

Australia also have their playing XI sorted unless they want to bring a change at the top of the order or rest one of the fast bowlers. One change that Australia could possibly make is replacing the veteran opener David Warner with Marcus Harris. The other change could be to bring a spinner in place of either Mitchell Marsh or Cameron Green as The Oval will assist spin on the last two days.

Marcus Harris/David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green/Todd Murphy, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood