England vs Australia, 5th Test Match Prediction 12 Sep 2019

Australia is going to take that little urn back with them but there is plenty in store for this 5th Ashes Test. After a cliff hanger in Leeds where Ben Stokes crushed Aussie souls and thereby keeping the ashes hopes alive by a mammoth 135 and 76- run partnership with Leach, the tournament had its next stop at old Trafford. Their star player, Smith was back in the mix for Aussies, but England is going to participate in a home series without Anderson.

Australia opted to bat on a day where dark clouds, gusty winds, and spells of rain showed up more than bat and ball. Broad struck immediately in the limited playing hours removing both leftie openers to reduce Australia for 28/2. Then came the master and with his disciple, they stitched a 120-run partnership swinging the momentum. A Jaffa to remove Marnus for 67 from Overton, but the genius held his ground as he saw his partners Head and Wade brain fade against the English attack. Skipper Paine built himself a small hut (58 runs), but a monument was being constructed at the other end. At last, Smith got himself out for an epic 211. Starc and Lyon added quick runs and the declaration came at 497/8. After early wickets of Denly and Overton, Burns and Skipper Root defied the Aussie attack testing their patience with a 141-run partnership. Finally, Hazlewood breached their resistance and picked both and with Roy’s wicket, he finished with a 4-for. Cummins and Starc made short work of their lower-middle order and tail taking 3 wickets each, restricting England to 301. The second passage started for Aussies in a similar fashion as Broad saw the back of Warner and Harris again. Archer added steam by stopping Labuschagne to reach his 5th consecutive fifty and bowled Head with 92mph delivery. Again, there was that quirky who showed up a new avatar, playing all the shots which were not in the textbook for a 92-ball 82. Wade and Paine added quick runs and a target of 383 was set. Cummins for all his hard work in the first innings was rewarded immediately with a leading edge of Burns and a dream delivery to Root. England 3rd wicket pair again frustrated the Aussies and this time it was Cummins turn as he removed Roy for his highest score in the series for 31 and a key wicket of Stokes. Bairstow fell to Starc again for 25 and just when Aussies were trying to wrap this up, the lower order stretched. Hazlewood broke through the defense of Butler who batted for 111 balls. Leach and Overton took the match to last 15 overs and the vigilance finally ended when Paine finally threw the dice to Labuschagne. The Last rites were done by Hazlewood as he removed Overton to take a crucial 2-1 lead.

The first ground to host an international test cricket in 1880, so far has hosted 101 matches second only to Lords. The best batting wicket to bat in England so far has held its reputation of being a batting paradise. Weather will stay clear to produce a result.

A typical subcontinent like pitch, which will make every team to bat first and leave the fourth innings to spinners.