Ashes Series: Steve Smith to descend on Australia to win the Oval

England has made two changes in the team for this match. The hosts have included all-rounders Chris Woakes and Sam Curren in the playing eleven in place of opener Jason Roy and Craig Overton.

The Australian team will go on to win the fifth and final Test match played at the Oval from Thursday, to make it to the Ashes series 3-1. England won the third Test in a thrilling manner by one wicket but lost the fourth Test by 185 runs. After this defeat, the hosts are now 1-2 behind in the series and will have to try to win the fifth match and tie the series 2-2.

England has made two changes in the team for this match. The hosts have included all-rounders Chris Woakes and Sam Curren in the playing eleven in place of opener Jason Roy and Craig Overton. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said that Ben Stokes, who is suffering from a shoulder injury, will play as a batsman. The Volks were part of the English team in the first three matches of the series, while 21-year-old Curren will play in the Ashes for the first time.

This will be the last match of host England coach Trevor Bellis with the team and the team would like to bid farewell to their coach. England’s team would like their batsmen to perform well in this match. Ben Stokes certainly played a match-winning innings at Headingley, but in the 11th match in his 11th overs, he injured his shoulder. After this, he did not come to bowl in Australia’s second innings.

The main pyre of hosts England is to stop Steve Smith running in superb form. Smith has scored 671 runs in the series so far with the help of three centuries and two half-centuries. Smith has so far contributed to Australia’s 2–1 lead.

On the other hand, the eyes of the Australia team is to create history by winning the Ashes series for the first time on England soil since 2001. The visiting team’s fast bowling attack has done well so far and they would like to continue it at the Oval. The team’s fast bowler Pat Cummins has played in all the matches of this series and he is also scheduled to play in it.

Coach Justin Langer has already said that his team would like to win the series 3–1. It is a matter of concern for Australia that David Warner’s poor form continues. Warner has scored only 79 runs in the series so far. Fast bowler Stuart Broad has dismissed him several times. However, despite Warner’s poor form, coach Langer has supported him.

Australia has included all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in their 12-man squad for this match. Marsh has been selected in the team in place of Travis Head. Marsh has not played a single match for Australia since December 2018.

Australia: Tim Paine (captain/wicketkeeper), Steve Smith, David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschen, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

England: Joe Root (captain), Rory Burns, Joe Denley, Sam Curren, Ben Stokes, Johnny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Jose Butler, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach.