Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

England v Australia 5th Test Preview Dream11 & MyTeam11 Prediction. ENG vs AUS 5th Test Preview Dream11 & MyTeam11 Prediction

Just as we began to take it all in, we are back at it again.

England’s quest for a remarkable Ashes turnaround – courtesy of the brilliant Ben Stokes – didn’t quite materialise at Old Trafford. Their slow start to the Test put them behind the eight-ball, resulting in their seventh loss in the past 10 Ashes Tests. James Anderson stated his dissatisfaction with the pitches, but truth be told, they have been outplayed for much of the series.

Australia’s Ashes 2019 campaign was a shot at redemption. The banned trio were back, and Tim Paine’s men aimed to become the first Australian side since 2001 to retain the Ashes in England. Two of the banned trio have underwhelmed, but the performance of the third – Steve Smith – has left us all in awe and has been a key difference between the teams. Australia’s bowlers have too been outstanding, and will now look to match what England achieved on Australian soil in 2010/11: a 3-1 win.

Also read: Have a Cricket Blog or looking to start one? Check out my Cricket Blogging Tips!

Key to an England win

“We’re fully focused on doing everything we can to finish the series 2-2”, said Joe Root, England’s under-fire captain. However, if England are to save this series, Root has to deliver more than he has. There is a case that the captaincy has burdened him, with his average plummeting from 52 to 40 since taking over the reigns. His three half centuries have been combined with three ducks – including two golden – representative of both he and England’s inconsistencies in this series. He needs a big knock if England are to level the series.

Also read: Is it time for England to look beyond Joe Root as captain?

Also, Jason Roy has been put out of his misery, now asked to watch the action rather than have his stumps castled. England perhaps missed an opportunity to draft in the likes of Ollie Pope and Dominic Sibley, but if England’s top four, which now includes Ben Stokes, can deliver the start they have so often lacked in the series, they will be held in good stead. With Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler in need of runs, a strong start, as well as strong batting options in Sam Curran and Chris Woakes behind them, might be just what they need.

Also, another criticism of Joe Root has been his inability to stick to a plan long enough, as former Australian captain Ian Chappell pointed out in his usual ‘no mucking around’ style during the fourth Test. Steve Smith continues to be the thorn in England’s side, but England need not play into his hands by changing their plans constantly. The fourth-fifth stump line is where England have often beaten Smith in this series, which speaks towards sticking to that line. Indeed, with David Warner, Marcus Harris and Australia’s middle order (bar Marnus Labuschagne) underwhelming, England can make significant inroads if they get the better of Australia’s instatiable run-scoring beast.

Key to an Australia win

There is an argument that Steve Smith is performing at a higher level now than pre-one year ban. His ability to overcome difficult periods to get Australia into winning positions has been a thing of beauty, pounding England into oblivion with 998 balls faced and 671 runs scored in just five innings. He returns to The Oval, where he has made two centuries in as many Tests there – in 2013 and 2015. All eyes will undoubtedly be on him again.

Also read: Is Steve Smith better now than pre-Cape Town?

But, Australia’s batting outside Smith has been a worry. Smith has scored 32% of Australia’s runs, despite missing three innings, with only Marnus Labuschagne holding his own. On a ground where he has enjoyed runs before, David Warner has the chance, with the Ashes retained, to make a score. His record against Broad is dire, but how he handles movement in the air will be crucial as the pitch is expected to be good for batting. Indeed, if he gets going, the likes of Labuschagne and Smith become even more dangerous, with support from the middle order.

Also, Australia’s pace attack has been simply brilliant. Their performance at Old Trafford was outstanding, with Pat Cummins’ delivery to Joe Root and Josh Hazlewood’s to Jos Buttler etched in Ashes folklore. There is a chance the superhuman Cummins might be rested for this match, and if he is, the attack must work as a unit on a good batting pitch. With Mitchell Marsh brought into the XII, his overs will be mighty important right away. Can the Australians find movement in the air throughout the Test as they did at Old Trafford?

Also read: 4th Test Player Ratings: Steve Smith gets a 10. Who else gets the same?

Possible Playing 11

Jason Roy has been axed by England. Ben Stokes will move to four as he won’t bowl, with Sam Curran and Chris Woakes back.

England: 1. Rory Burns, 2. Joe Denly, 3. Joe Root (c), 4. Ben Stokes, 5. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 6. Jos Buttler, 7. Sam Curran, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Jack Leach, 11. Stuart Broad

Travis Head, who averages 42.70 after 12 Tests, is a little unlucky to be left out. Mitchell Marsh is set to take his place. Also, Peter Siddle is a good chance of playing, and it could be for Pat Cummins who has had a big workload.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Marcus Harris, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steven Smith, 5. Matthew Wade, 6. Mitchell Marsh, 7. Tim Paine (c & wk), 8. Pat Cummins/Peter Siddle, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood

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Pitch and Conditions

A brown and flat-looking pitch is on the menu at The Oval. The first day is expected to be overcast, followed by sunny weather heading into the weekend.

Stats and Facts

• David Warner has scored 79 runs in eight innings in Ashes 2019. Steve Smith’s lowest score is 82.
• However, Warner scored 85 in his last innings at The Oval, getting through a tough early period.
• Steve Smith has 671 runs in just five innings this series. The next best is Ben Stokes with 354.
• Stuart Broad averages 36.47 with the ball in 11 Tests at The Oval. However, he has been excellent this series, with 19 wickets at 26.
• Joe Root at The Oval: Six matches, 514 runs, average: 51.40.

Fantasy Cricket Prediction

MyTeam11 (regular) Prediction: Tim Paine (wk), Steve Smith (c), Joe Root, Rory Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Stokes (vc), Sam Curran, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

With Steve Smith and the Aussie bowlers in such fine form, it is hard to go past Australia in this one. Here’s to a great Test to cap off an exciting series.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Is Steve Smith the best since Bradman?