Australia vs England 5th Test cricket tips and predictions – Copybet
The Ashes may be long gone but England at least averted the ignominy of a 5-0 series whitewash with victory in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Ben Stokes's tourists will aim to save further face when the series wraps up at another institution of Australian sport, the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Australia vs England
A spicy pitch at the MCG had batters running for cover in the Boxing Day Test but England were at least able to finally seize their moment, albeit with the usual wobble thrown into the mix.
Ben Stokes's tourists were nowhere near perfect in Melbourne but they played the situation and conditions far better in their fourth-innings chase, which leant itself to their positive brand.
A 3-2 series loss would only add to the conclusion that England have missed a golden opportunity Down Under this winter, with their wafer-thin preparation and inflexible approach proving their downfall.
But they at least have now ended a 15-year drought in Australia and the pitch at the SCG, one of the more batter-friendly venues Down Under, combined with the continued absence of Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood, gives them a decent chance of adding another consolation win to their name.
Australia vs England
This winter's Ashes series could not have got off to a worse start for England opener Zak Crawley, who bagged a pair in the first Test in Perth.
Crawley is no stranger to pressure, it feels like he is constantly on the verge of being dropped if you believe the media and cricket fans, but he has bounced back with some composed knocks since failing to trouble the scorers at the Optus Stadium.
Scores of 76, 44, nine, 85, five and 37 have followed, and he is actually England's highest runscorer in the series heading to Sydney.
The Kent man has looked much more at ease at the crease not attempting to hit everything outside off-stump for four and should have fond memories of the SCG, where he compiled a classy 77 four years ago.
Australia vs England
Mitchell Starc has carried the Australia attack in the absence of his three trusty lieutenants Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.
Starc has picked up 26 wickets in the first four Tests. However, 18 came in the first two matches and his influence has not been as big in Adelaide or Melbourne.
The left-armer will be playing on home turf at Sydney but he may be upstaged by Scott Boland, who has grown into the series.
England initially looked to get after the metronomic Victorian, but he has continued to plug away just outside off-stump and has been rewarded in the last couple of matches.
Four wickets in Adelaide was followed by five at the MCG, six of which have come in England's first innings.