Fortunate England given a last chance

Many England fans were left tearing their hair out at the innings and 80 run defeat at Headingley, but on reflection the home side are lucky to be in with a chance of winning back the Ashes.

The fourth Test in Leeds was built up as the home side’s chance to win back the urn, but the cracks that have shown at other times in the series have turned into gaping chasms.

Yes, England have looked good in patches but when you look at the first four Tests so far in detail, the tourists have enjoyed the better of the series to date.

FIRST TEST (Cardiff)

England escape with a draw after looking for long periods like they were going to go 1-0 behind. Four Australian score centuries and only their inability to take wickets helps England hang on.

SECOND TEST (Lord’s)

An excellent first day 196-run partnership between openers Strauss (161) and Cook (95) helped the home side to break their Lord’s-Ashes hoodoo, but they struggled over the line.

But for an inspired five-wicket haul from Andrew Flintoff, Australia may have held on for a draw and the tourists still wracked up 406 in their second innings.

THIRD TEST (Edgbaston)

A Test match badly affected by the weather, Australia came away with the impetus after another solid display from Michael Clarke and the other middle-order batsmen.
England started day five having an outside chance of victory, but ended that Monday by taking just three wickets and thankful that they didn’t have to bat again.

FOURTH TEST (Headingley)

England were completely outplayed with both bat and ball, as Australia claimed victory in two and a half days. Again the tourists are only asked to bat once and they amass over 400 for the third time in the series.

The stats also point to Australia – eight centuries to England’s one, with five of the top six runscorers from the Australian squad.

Despite the struggles of Mitchell Johnson, it’s a similar story with the ball as the top three wicket-takers are Aussies – Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Johnson.

Cricket though, and in particular Ashes history, tells you this series could still go either way as the teams prepare for the final showdown at the Oval – starting on August 20.

Make sure you check out The Oval Test odds before any Fifth Test betting.