It’s often said journalism is a mirror to the society it serves. Most cricket fans know which of these papers they would prefer to be reading this morning.

Today's Daily Telegraph front pages in Sydney, left, and London.

At the start of this Ashes series I set out 10 reasons to love the English and said at the time they would take some comfort from being classed as underdogs. But surely, the underdog tag is too kind this time. Beedogs, perhaps.

Anyway, below are some links to previews from English and Australian commentators on this deciding Test, including Shane Warne’s. But if England’s hopes rest on Andrew Flintoff playing a blinder in his final Test match and Australia are counting on Ricky Ponting, I know which side I’d prefer to be on. Share your thoughts, predictions, and sledges in the comments.

Bad memories of 2005 will spur the Australians on at the Oval, Shane Warne tells The Times.

In the Daily Mail, England captain Andrew Strauss says Flintoff can help deliver The Ashes.

The BBC’s Adam Mountford points to Y.E. Yang’s defeat of Tiger Woods in the USPGA as proof that miracles do happen.

Patrick Smith, in The Australian, says Australian fast bowler Michael Stuart Clark is the key to retaining the urn.

In the Sydney Morning Herald, Peter Roebuck says Flintoff won’t be enough to save England.

Ricky Ponting says the young Australian side can be trusted to deliver:

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4 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • Adeline says:

      05:15pm | 20/08/09

      “Australian fast bowler Michael Clark is the key to retaining the urn”? Maybe a Clark/e hybrid allrounder with the bowling skills of Stuart Clark and batting prowess of Michael Clarke.

    • Julie Coker-Godson says:

      09:28pm | 20/08/09

      I wish I could think of something blindingly clever to say but I cannot at this time (perhaps coz I’m a bit tired), however, it promises to be a real fight to the finish (at least I hope it will be) and may the best team win on the day.  I hope the bugler returns.

    • Mr Pastry says:

      10:24pm | 20/08/09

      Haven’t they decided who’s won yet they started in June didn’t they, just how long does this nonsense take.  One match should do it, then off home, then we can clear the back pages for sport that doesn’t have the participants in long trousers, hats and jumpers, stopping for something to eat and calling each other nasty names.  Cheese rolling has more international interest and certainly more athleticism, why can’t we take the poms on at that.  We can provide a delicious round of Mature King Island Cheddar.

    • Phill says:

      09:59am | 21/08/09

      Would love to see the final game in a drawn series played to a result.  None of this draw nonsense.  We’re one a peice, and yet we take home the Ashes because we currently hold it?  Make game 5 take it to the finish.  Bring on an 8 day test!

 

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