Andrew Strauss won his fourth, and arguably most crucial, toss of the summer and chose to bat first, as England prepared to launch their bid to regain the Ashes in a must-win final Test at The Oval.
With Andrew Flintoff passed fit to play in his final Test, having missed the debacle at Headingley, Strauss opted to retain the extra pace of Steve Harmison over the diligent full length of his Durham new-ball partner, Graham Onions. Monty Panesar had been mooted as a potential second spinner, but missed the cut, with Stuart Broad keeping his place after his six-wicket haul at Leeds.
Strauss's decision to bat first means that the debutant Jonathan Trott could be in action sooner rather than later, though ideally not too soon for England's purposes, seeing as he is slated to come in at No. 5. Nevertheless, with Australia resisting the urge to tinker with the side that bowled England out for 102 on the first day of the fourth Test, the same four seamers will be bearing down on their opponents, with Stuart Clark retaining his place ahead of the spinner, Nathan Hauritz.
Compared to the scorching hot day that London enjoyed on Wednesday, the first morning of the decisive Test has dawned somewhat cloudy, which could suit Australia's seam attack. There is a threat of rain over the first few days, although none in the immediate vicinity, but whereas in this same fixture four years ago, England's players and supporters actively encouraged the heavens to open, this time they will want nothing but fifteen uninterrupted sessions to enhance their chances of reclaiming the urn.
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