The much awaited fifth and final Test of the thrilling ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023 five-match Test series is scheduled to take place at the Oval Cricket Ground in Kennington starting from July 27. England lost the Ashes series by drawing the fourth Test in Manchester. Even a draw in the last Test can seal the deal for the visitors, who haven’t won an Ashes on English soil since 2001.
On Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test match at The Oval in London, Australia posted a total of 295 runs in their first innings, taking a narrow lead of 12 runs against England. In response to England’s first innings total of 283, the Australian batting was led by Steve Smith, who played a crucial knock of 71 runs off 123 balls. Usman Khawaja also made a valuable contribution with 47 runs off 157 deliveries.
England’s bowling effort was spearheaded by Chris Woakes, who picked up three wickets to put pressure on the Australian batsmen. Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, and Joe Root also made significant contributions, each scalping two dismissals to keep the visitors in check.
With the match hanging in the balance, both teams will look to gain an upper hand on Day 3 as they continue their battle for supremacy in the final Ashes Test.Here in this article, we have covered everything you need to know about the Ashes 2023 England vs Australia 5th Test pitch report for day 3.
Also Read: ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023 5th Test, Day 3 FREE Live Streaming: When and Where to Watch England vs Australia Match Live on TV and Online
ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023 5th Test Day 3 Pitch Report
The pitch at Kennington Oval leans more towards favoring batters over bowlers, particularly in the initial stages of the Test match. The absence of substantial grass on the surface diminishes the advantage for fast bowlers, though they can still capitalize on the shine of the new ball. As the match unfolds and the pitch dries out, spinners come into prominence particularly on Day 4 and 5.
The toss-winning captain often faces a pivotal dilemma – whether to opt for batting first to exploit the favorable conditions or to bowl first and leverage any early assistance the pacers might get. The decision at the toss can significantly impact the outcome of the match, given the pitch dynamics and the way it evolves over the course of the game.