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 4, Australia displayed an unexpected surge to potentially win the series, surprising many viewers who had different expectations at the start of the day’s action. England managed to add only six runs to their overnight score, thanks to Stuart Broad’s six on his last delivery in Test cricket, setting a target of 384 for the Aussies.
However, David Warner and Usman Khawaja mounted an impressive counter-attack, leaving Australia with a promising chance as they require 249 runs with all 10 wickets intact. With Khawaja at 69 and Warner at 58, and considering the pitch behavior, the Kangaroos seem to be within reach of the target.
As for England, they need to improve their bowling performance significantly on the final day. It marks the last appearance of Stuart Broad, and he is expected to give his all in this crucial moment. 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 5.
Also Read: ENG vs AUS Ashes 2023 5th Test, Day 5 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 5 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.