With the final Ashes test coming up this week, we thought we might have a look at the build-up to the match. So far, the big stories surround the two talismanic test figures of Andrew Flintoff and Brett Lee, and whether injury will allow them to do battle again in the final test at the Oval. England’s Flintoff and Australia’s Lee made up the iconic image of the 2005 Ashes series, with Flintoff providing a consoling hug in the middle of the wicket. Flintoff missed the last test at Headingly while Lee has yet to play in the series so far.
Both bowlers are eager about playing; Flintoff, barring any late injuries, should play, however Lee will have to work hard to convince selectors that he will still be dangerous despite lacking practice or any real playing time. Already Tim Nielson has highlighted his ability to reverse swing as an asset, which is enough to seriously consider him for the test team. Lee took 3 wickets against the England Lions at Canterbury on Sunday in their last warm-up game.
Comment has also circulated about the pitch, in particular over the reputation of the Oval being a batsman’s paradise, and therefore not one to encourage win or lose results; so, in a series where, despite being 1-1, the Australians will regain the Ashes if the series remains a tie, this has obviously attracted a lot of opinion.
The Oval groundstaff have assured that they have not received any requests by the ECB to produce a ‘results pitch’ and actually point out that seven of the past ten tests have ended in a win, five in favour of England.
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