FIFTH ASHES TEST: All you need to know

Team news, odds, weather forecast and TV details ahead of the clash at the SCG

The Ashes series enters its final straight this week as the two-month circus decamps to Sydney for the fifth and final Test.

England, 3-0 down, will be desperately chasing some scant consolation at the SCG after a long and difficult time Down Under.

The Cricketer answers all the nagging questions ahead of the start of play.

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So what’s going on?

Pay attention at the back! We have reached the fifth and final Test match of the Ashes series.

Where’s it taking place?

Dear, dear… Sydney. The Sydney Cricket Ground, to be precise. But you already knew that, didn’t you?

Have England got a chance?

Well, there were plenty of signs of improvement in Melbourne, where a combination of a stodgy pitch, another Steve Smith century and yet more rain helped Australia see out a draw.

England have won 22 of their 55 Tests at the SCG - a decent return - and have claimed victory on two of their past four visits. So yet, there’s plenty to be hopeful about.

Who’s in and who’s out?

Mason Crane is in, Chris Woakes misses out with a side strain.

The young Hampshire leg-spinner has only had minimal gametime during warm-ups Down Under but is very highly rated by the selectors. Trevor Bayliss, the England head coach, had already hinted at Crane’s possible inclusion, saying “there’s maybe no time like the present” to see if the youngster has what it takes.

And for the Aussies?

The big question mark hangs over the fitness of Mitchell Starc, who missed the fourth Test with a heel problem.

There are murmurings that he could recover in time to get back to tormenting the England batting line-up. Given the limited impact made by Jackson Bird in Melbourne, Australia will be hoping he is given the all-clear.

So when does it all get going?

The first ball is due at 10.30am Sydney time on Thursday, which translates to 11.30pm on Wednesday night back in Blighty.

Great. So how can I watch it in the UK?

As with the rest of this Ashes series, BT Sport have the pictures.

Their coverage of day one gets under way at 10.30pm GMT on Wednesday night, with the programme starting 30 minutes later on each of the following four evenings.

BT Sport is on channel 413 when accessed via Sky and channel 408 via BT Vision and TalkTalk. There’s also full access to all the action via the broadcaster’s website and mobile app for those with a subscription.

What if I’m not a subscriber?

Sadly, you’ll have to find a friend’s password, or log on to Twitter and see snippets of the game as they happen.

For radio coverage, Test Match Special is available on Five Live Sports Extra. That’s 12B on DAB digital radio, channel 706 on Freeview, 0144 on Sky and 908 on Virgin Media.

And don’t forget that The Cricketer will have daily round-ups, in-play updates on social media and plenty to keep you entertained on your lunch break throughout the Test.

Will we get five full days’ play?

There’s a fair amount of rain forecast for the morning of the first day, and some showers on the second, but otherwise the skies should be clear enough to make a result possible.

Highs of 30 degrees Celsius at the weekend should follows lows of 22 on Thursday.

Who’s favourite?

Australia… unsurprisingly. The best odds around for a home victory are a miserly 4/6, with England way out at 7/2. The draw is available at 4/1.

Thanks very much.

For the last time this series, you are very welcome.

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