Ashes decider - History in the making

The final Test of the Ashes Series is bound to be one for the history books, writes Nicholas Janzen.

The upcoming fifth and final Test of the 2005 Ashes Series is only days away, and with England currently leading the series 2-1, this Test is the most important of the modern era.

Should England draw or win the last match, the Ashes urn will return to English soil, and Australia’s dominance, which has seem them labelled the best ever cricket side, will disappear.

Quite simply, Australia must select an outfit that can bowl England out.

So far this series, with injuries to Glenn McGrath, too much emphasis and responsibility has been placed on the shoulders of Shane Warne.

England’s dislike for quality leg-spin bowling must see NSW spinner Stuart MacGill selected.

MacGill is a character not afraid to chance his arm, and his experience and self-belief must surely elevate himself above South Australian speedster Shaun Tait, who has only played one Test.

With the series still in the balance, the situation will see the great players rise to the top, and in any other Test side, MacGill would be one of the first players selected.

Whatever the line-ups, the finale to a wonderful series will have catastrophic effects for the losers. If Australia fails to win, the aura that has surrounded them since their world record Test match winning streak will be lost.

Whatever the result, we are privileged to be watching history being re-written by some of the best cricketers of all time.

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