Do or die, but will Australia come to play?

It's not often it comes down to do-or-die clash with the Aussies, but as explained by Scott Smith, Australia are on the brink of surrendering the Ashes, thanks to a rejuvenated English outfit.

Who would have thought? When you were sitting on the couch, raring for the first ball of the First Ashes Test, that seven weeks later, England were on the brink of something special, while Australia were staring down the barrel of defeat?

A shuddering feeling almost creeps over my body.

Cricket's a funny game. Can't say I'm all that amused in the past few weeks with what's transpired on English soil, but for the purposes of clichés, it is indeed, one bloody funny game.

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath joked with the English media pre-series that Australia would win one of the most anticipated Ashes Series in decades five-nil. Shades of the past two series perhaps? The Aussies crushing the Poms 4-1 in 2001 and in 2002/03.

Oh how times have changed.

But it has been great, hasn't it? England leading the thrilling series 2-1, following two gripping victories in the second and fourth Tests. Such a gallant comeback after Australia were leading 1-nil and England behind the eight-ball.

Now it comes down to the wire. The fifth and final Ashes Test beginning in London tomorrow. In the past 15 years, never has Australia been in a position where they're on the brink of a somewhat embarrassing series.

The prospects were looking good - almost predictable - when Australia had cruised to victory in the first Test.

"One down, four to go, then it's off to the pub for the customary celebration."

Probably what was seen in many Australian diehard cricket fans following the First Test. Seemingly, the general arrogance appeared to slide under the cover as Australia, yet again, had produced the results they're renowned for.

Heads on the chopping block after the First Test in the English tabloids. Current English captain Michael Vaughan was copping sprays here, there and everywhere - compared to former captains Nasser Hussain, Alec Stuart, Michael Atherton and Graham Gooch - Ashes failures.

Three Tests later, he could be crowned England's King.

Australian's mentality is overwhelmed at the moment. We can't simply keep saying "Our best cricket is yet to come" or "England have just been lucky". Face it. We've been out-played. We've been shocked. We've been surprised. We're under pressure. We're lucky to still be alive in this series.

England could, right now, be gloating with a 3-1 series lead, had it not been for the heroic efforts by Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee in the third Test, to hold off a fierce English bowling attack for a draw. Who saved our batting? Certainly not the men paid for it.

Yes, we did convincingly 'thump' the Poms in the first encounter of the series, and narrowly fell by only two runs in the second, but when was the last time Australia entered a final test of a series thinking "Can we actually win this?"

But what's been the instigator of England's ascend in the series? Simon Jones, who missed the last Ashes Series with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, has rejuvenated his Test career, and taken a somewhat senior role in the English bowling attack, without the duo of Gough and Caddick like previous series.

Jones' ability to swing the ball, both new and old, has troubled the Australians all series. Not only that, but he's exposed a weakness. Something Australia have rarely faced. A young, fierce and raring fast bowler, with vicious lateral movement and deadly swing. But what's that? A genuine "fast bowler"? No, not a completely erratic and weary Shoaib Akhtar, but a genuinely fast, accurate and troubling pace bowler.

Australia have been the pinnacle of International Cricket for some time now. It's not often they are faced with such bowlers with that standard. But, Jones has stood out. He's opened Australia up and hit them where it hurts. He's much in the same mould as New Zealand's Shane Bond. We all remember what happened when he last toured Australia? Jones has the tourists on the back foot. But, he's not the only one.

Unlike previous Ashes Series, England have had the back-up and support in the bowling stocks. Not just one bowler doing the hard work, while the others throw down pies. Ably assisted by Stephen Harmison and Andrew Flintoff, the English bowling attack is one to be feared.

Not only the support, but it's the quality. Last series, the English attack consisted of Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick, Matthew Hoggard and Craig White. The problem? No vigour or hunger. No consistent line and length. No intimidating pace.

The difference this series? Jones' and Hoggard's ability to be able to not only swing the ball sharply into the left handers, but their ability to shape the ball away from both the left and right handers - however, primarily Australian openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden.

Hayden, who was averaging close to 60 this time last year, has averaged a measly 22.5 this series, and has succumbed to the pressure that Harmison, Hoggard, Flintoff and Jones has imposed on, not only him, but the whole Australian top order.

Harmison, who can be somewhat erratic at times, has the tourists hopping and moving around on the crease. A fast-paced and vicious extractor of the ball. We cast our minds back to the opening Test. He was hitting Australia where it hurts - not the furniture, but the body.

Flintoff is much the same, however, speed and swing is his key. He provides the consistent line and length in the team, while Jones provides the raw pace, Harmison the fierce bounce and unpredictability from the pitch and Hoggard the seemingly unplayable swing no matter how old the ball is.

A quartet of intimidating bowlers unlike England has seen for decades. Renowned for not being able to produce quality spin bowlers - Ashley Giles is presently their 'best' - but currently, their pace bowling stocks is more than making up for it. Australia are mystified. Did they see it coming? I seriously doubt it.

Not only has Hayden struggled against this attack, but Damien Martyn (21 average), Adam Gilchrist (22.6), Simon Katich (30.9), Justin Langer (36.1), Michael Clarke (38.8) and Ricky Ponting (40.5) have all had series to forget.

The seven Australian top order batsmen are all averaging less than their career average. Staggering. Ironic that Shane Warne, who has acclimatised himself to the English conditions over the past few months, has the fourth most runs of any Australian on the Test tour.

Two things: not only is it poor Australian batting, and a touch of arrogance, but brilliant English bowling.

Without Glenn McGrath, who has missed two Tests - which the Australians lost both, and Shane Warne, Australia would be up the creek this series, with no paddle. Both have averaged 19.7 and 20.2 with the ball this series, by far the best. Next is Brett Lee with an average of over 30.

With McGrath expected to be fit for the Fifth Test, together with Warne, will they be Australia's hopes to retain the Ashes? With a top order in disarray, and has only yielded one century in eight innings, it doesn't appear anything is going to change soon in that department.

It's no intricate thought. We're either about to witness one of the most fierce Australian outfits with English blood in sight come out and want to win more than they ever have, or we'll see a cataclysmic flop and the once-feared and almost unbeatable cricketing team of the current era, languish into a hole.

I sure bloody hope it's not the latter. But it's time to take a reality check and smell the coffee. England aren't a walk-over anymore. Leaves a bitter feeling in my mouth, but if we don't come wanting to win that fifth Test, there won't be an airport full of supporters back in Australia welcoming back the Ashes.

Or, have England planned their victory celebrations too soon?

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