Dean Etheridge
The 5th and final Test match of the 2023 Ashes series between England and Australia takes place at The Oval this weekend. In our latest cricket betting picks, we look ahead to a match England needs to win to level the series. As for Australia, a win or draw would see them win an Ashes series in England for the first time since 2001.
- What; The Ashes 5th Test match
- Who; England vs Australia (1-2)
- Where; The Oval, London, England
- When; July 27th-31st, 2023
Australia retains the Ashes!
Yes, the washout at Old Trafford ensured – at the very least – Australia keeps the Ashes. As the current holders, all Pat Cummins’ team needed to do was draw the series to keep the Urn. And thanks to the drawn Test match in Manchester, the visitors are 2-1 up with only one fixture left to play.
That'll do! The Old Trafford Test is a draw meaning we retain the #Ashes! 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/MXXrnPHtNG
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) July 23, 2023
The Aussies did struggle to contain England in the 4th Test. The likelihood was that had the weather not intervened, the series would be heading to The Oval all square. But in the end, too much time was lost to rain, and the match fizzled out into a draw.
Can Australia win the Ashes in England?
Australia may have achieved their minimum aim, but they will want to go one better than just retaining the Ashes. They will want to win them outright.
And the 5th Test is the ideal opportunity to do that. There is no pressure on Pat Cummins and his team now. The Ashes are heading back to Australia whether the visitors win, lose, or draw at The Oval, making the 5th Test a free hit for them.
England vs Australia Ashes 5th Test Betting
Like in the 4th Test, England are the favorites to win the final Test match of the series. England are +135 to win the 5th Test and square the series at 2-2. Australia is +175, and the draw is +255.
At +135, England is the same price they were for the Old Trafford Test match. But Australia’s odds have lengthened. They were +155 in Manchester, but after a disappointing performance, the best cricket betting sites have Pat Cummins’ side longer for The Oval.
In the draw no-bet market, England is -138, and Australia is +110. Anybody who backed England or Australia in this market last week would have at least gotten their money back.
Our betting table has more odds from the best online sportsbooks for cricket betting. Please visit our best sportsbook sign-up bonuses page for more information on the latest new customer offers available from these sites.
| England vs Australia 5th Test Betting |  |  |  |
| England | +135 | +135 | +135 |
| Australia | +175 | +175 | +175 |
| Draw | +275 | +275 | +275 |
| Draw No Bet | |||
| England | -138 | -138 | -138 |
| Australia | +110 | +110 | +110 |
Who heads to The Oval in better shape?
England finished the 4th Test well on top and well on the front foot. It’s almost like they’ve been a different animal since the controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s.
England will cry that the weather cost them. But in reality, they have been the architects of their downfall across the series – and even before it, with a lack of red-ball action for many of their players.
💬 "It's a tough pill to swallow… I thought we were completely and utterly dominant."
🎙️ @BenStokes38#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/urOfA2KOJ5
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 23, 2023
This may have made them angry. But it’s all too little, too late.
The hosts have named the same squad for the final Test of the series. They’ve yet to name their starting XI, but there’s unlikely to be too many changes. If any, there may be one to their bowling lineup, with Ollie Robinson possibly returning.
In contrast, the Aussies looked battered and bruised at Old Trafford. Skipper Pat Cummins came in for a lot of criticism after his performance in the field, and he will be looking forward to the end of the series. Cummins also looked deflated at the end of the match. This despite having just retained the Ashes.
Scott Boland or Todd Murphy may come back into the side for the visitors. It’s hard to know who might make way. But one thing for sure is that a fifth Test may be a match too many for the underfire and over bowled Pat Cummins.
He perhaps needs to put his feet up. The Aussies don’t need him breaking down just a few weeks before the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Our 5th Ashes Test match betting picks!
Can the Aussies lift themselves one more time and win the series? That is the key to the outcome of this Test match. Four years ago, when in the same position, they couldn’t. After dominating the opening four Tests (one world-beating innings from Ben Stokes won England a Test they should never have won), they lost the 5th Test and drew the series 2-2.
Four years on, and they are heading into the final match of the series looking tired and weary, rather than dominant. This makes picking them to win a risky call.
As for England, they now look like they’ve hit form, albeit, too late to win the Ashes. This makes England the more likely winners of the 5th Test. But with rain again forecast, it may be safer to back England in the draw no-bet market.
We’re also backing Marnus Labuschagne (+350) to top score for Australia, and Jonny Bairstow (+700) to top score for England (both 1st innings only).
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