Ashes 2023: England nonetheless slight favourites as The Oval pitch does activate Day 5, says Nasser Hussain

By India Today Sports Desk: Former England captain, Nasser Hussain, has acknowledged that England are “slight favourites” to win the fifth and decisive Ashes Test at The Oval. After a largely rain-affected day 4 of the match, Australia managed to achieve 135-0, with Usman Khawaja not out on 69 and David Warner unbeaten on 58.

With an additional 249 runs wanted for Australia to safe a 3-1 collection victory, Hussain believes that the pitch circumstances will favour the house aspect, aiding their bid for a 2-2 collection draw. Hussain expressed that regardless of Australia’s promising begin, “the pitch is spinning and a day-five Oval pitch does turn.”

Ashes fifth Test: Day 4 Highlights

“My feeling is that England are still slight favourites, even after Australia’s start. The pitch is spinning and a day-five Oval pitch does turn,” Hussain instructed the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.

Hussain additionally anticipates that Moeen Ali’s restoration from a groin pressure could possibly be a key issue. “Hopefully the rain has given Moeen Ali a bit more time to get better,” he stated. Additionally, Australia’s line-up of predominantly left-handed batters might probably fall prey to England’s off-spinners, organising an exciting conclusion to the collection.

“Australia have two left-handers in at the moment and then Alex Carey, Travis Head and Mitchell Starc. Off-spinners like left-handers. It is set up perfectly. The last day of a magnificent series and we still don’t know if it is going to be 2-1, 2-2 or 3-1,” Hussain added.

Meanwhile, Hussain additionally questioned the choice to delay introducing Mark Wood into the bowling assault till the thirty third over, when Australia had already amassed 99 runs with none loss. Hussain argued that bringing Wood in whereas the ball was nonetheless swinging might need galvanised the group and disrupted the momentum of the Khawaja-Warner partnership.

“I think Stokes could have gone earlier with Wood,” he stated. “When the rain comes the reverse disappears. Also, just to lift the crowd. They were roused this morning with the Stuart Broad factor, but with the Khawaja-Warner partnership, the atmosphere dwindled. When Wood started warming up, you could sense the crowd’s anticipation; this is what they’ve been waiting for.”

Hussain’s commentary means that regardless of the challenges, England maintain the benefit going into the ultimate day of the collection, culminating what has been a extremely aggressive and hard-fought Ashes contest.