AP, London :
There’s still time for Australia to endure one final humiliation in this chastening Ashes series.
Buoyant after regaining the urn with one match to spare, England heads into the fifth test starting Thursday at The Oval looking to complete a 4-1 win in a series it was widely expected to lose. It would be the first time the English have ever won four tests in a five-match Ashes series in England.
“We want to put another nail in the coffin that we have already built,” England allrounder Ben Stokes said.
While the final test is a victory lap for England, there might be more at stake for the beleaguered Australians.
They will want to give retiring captain Michael Clarke a successful send-off in his 115th and last match. The same goes for 37-year-old opener Chris Rogers, who announced Tuesday that he would be quitting the international game – and perhaps cricket for good – at the end of this series.
There is a sense this is the last match for the current generation before a new era begins in Australia test cricket, under newly appointed captain Steve Smith. As well as Ryan Harris, who quit cricket a week before the Ashes because of injury, this could be the last series for Brad Haddin, Shane Watson and Adam Voges – players who are all in their 30s.
“We came here to win, and we’ve been outplayed,” Rogers said. “It’s been a difficult week. A lot of guys have felt a bit flat, I imagine. (But) this is a big last game.
“Obviously it’s Michael’s retirement as well – but not only that, there’s places up for grabs as well in this side, and no one’s going to be taking that for granted.”
Mark Wood will go down in history as the man who took the wicket at Trent Bridge on Aug. 10 that clinched a fourth straight home series win against Australia.
He might not be in the team for the final test.
James Anderson missed the end of the third test and all of the fourth test with a side strain, but bowled in the nets on Monday and Tuesday in a bid to prove his fitness. Wood could be the paceman to make way should England’s leading all-time wicket-taker be recalled.
“Jimmy has 400 test wickets – he’s England’s leading bowler – so if he’s fit and ready to go then it’s out of my hands,” Wood said Tuesday. “I’m sure everyone would want Jimmy in the side, so if he’s fit he probably gets the nod.”
The English have named a full-strength squad for the match, so they aren’t taking it lightly. Yet coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Alastair Cook may not want to take any risks with Anderson, with a test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates followed by a tour of South Africa in the winter coming up.
Australia must decide whether to recall allrounder Mitch Marsh after he was dropped for his brother, batsman Shaun, for the fourth test.
