Geoff Lawson

While the supreme entertainment and torture of 'nouveau cricket' in this Ashes rubber has brought new fans to the game it may have well lost a few as well through high blood pressure and heart attacks. Even terminal nail chewing could diminish viewing and listening numbers.

Resurgent England have lived up to their billing as a true contender after the disappointment of long ago Lord's. They have consistently played the better cricket although the Australians are showing the fight and desperation of a true champion team who will not relinquish the 120 year old symbol without the last tooth or claw being spent. What the Aussies haven't shown is the class and domination that has characterised their past 16 year seat on the throne. Captain Ponting has let the frustrations of England's questionable substitute fielding policy and some glaring umpiring errors that seem to be all made in the home team's favour, to get under his skin. Which is understandable, but the public display after he was run out by yet another sub fielder in the second innings at Trent Bridge was not acceptable. Fortunately he recognised this and made an immediate apology. Now all that remains is for the apology to come back to the Australians for the unacceptable behaviour of the Nottinghamshire members.

Geoff Lawson’s nickname is Henry, after the Australian bush poet. By training Geoff is a optometrist

A feature of this close run series has been the superiority of the bowling which has only allowed a total of 3 centuries. There is no doubt that when teams are being bowled out we have much more interesting cricket than when the bat is dominating. Picking the highest scorer for each innings has been difficult indeed but I feel Damian Martyn, who has suffered most by poor umpiring, is due for some luck and will make a big score. My money is on Martyn and Michael Vaughan for England who I feel will make a real skipper's knock as he knows that a draw is all England need to atone for 16 years of misery. Australia have been without the services of the number one fast bowler in Glenn McGrath through injury and this has made a world of difference. He should be back for the decider but the Australian selectors will have to decide who to leave out. Fast bowling tyro Shaun Tait made a promising debut in the 4th Test and I would like to see him retained. The other man under pressure in the Aussie camp is opener Matthew Hayden who has struggled for the past 12 months to recapture the stellar form that saw his average rocket into the 50's. It is a bit late in the series to be blooding Brad Hodge, although Mike Hussey may get a mention in the meeting as he has continues to power Durham up the County Championship table. I don't believe the selectors will have the courage to make a change, hoping that Hayden will finally come good against the swing of Matthew Hoggard.

England will be hoping that Simon Jones intensive treatment will heal the damaged ankle as he has become a crucial element in their attack, otherwise Chris Tremlett of Hampshire will get his opportunity in one of the most important Tests of the new century.

I am predicting yet another thriller at the Oval with the Ashes decided late on the last day as the nation tunes in by their tens of millions. Unfortunately this will all end in tears for the English (and Welsh) as Shane Warne takes a hat trick in the final over, with rain beginning to fall and England needing 2 runs to win and the Ashes head back "down under" where they have found a very comfortable home since 1989.