3 Questions:
1. What will the pitch be like? The Oval has been an unhappy venue for the Aussies with victories few and far between. Recent 1st Class statistics show that there hasn't been a single result at the ground this season. With England needing to win to regain the Ashes there have been suggestions that the pitch may be prepared with a result in mind. I'm guessing that the Poms will be their traditionally conservative selves and produce a belter. Barring an innings of brilliance from a bowler or two I think we're in for a draw.
2. Which Australian bowlers will miss out? Hilfenhaus and Johnson are certainties to play, Siddle looks like a lock which leaves one spot open for a specialist bowler. Hauritz has performed brilliantly this series (Randy-Pete bias aside) and Clark had an excellent spell in the first innings of the Fourth Test. Lee was dominant in the Lions tour match. Speculation has been that the pitch will determine the bowler. My money is on Lee to make a comeback although I'd pick Hauritz and bowl Watson as the extra seamer. No specialist spinner on anything but an absolute green-top is a mistake for mine.
3. Can Freddy inspire a turnaround? With Freddy likely to be back for his final test for England is it possible that he can turn around a team that has been demoralised by their own media as much as their own poor performance in the Fourth Test? Freddy is a special cricketer, no doubt. Can his presence counteract decades of English collapses at the hands of Australia? Can he drag his teammates out of a brief, but considerable, hole? I'm guessing we'll see a half strength Freddy perform gallantly and with enormous heart but his teammates, especially Bopara, Cook and Collingwood (if selected) will be unable to jump on his back and crawl out of their despair.
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