England vs. Australia Ashes Fifth Test Betting Specials: Root and Smith tipped at The Oval

England’s hopes of levelling up The Ashes at Old Trafford were ruined by the rain as a dominant home side had Australia on the back foot, but the wet stuff ultimately ruined the game and Pat Cummins’ side duly retained the Ashes.

The two teams head to Thursday’s fifth Test at the Oval with Australia 2-1 in front and Ben Stokes will be hoping his English side can continue the momentum from Manchester and end the series with a 2-2 draw.

Our man Steve Chambers has taken a look at some of the specials for the final Test of this enthralling Ashes series and picks out his best bets for the match in London...

Each Team Over 2 Runs In 1st Innings @ 2/1

Long gone are the days of seeing off the new ball as an opening batsman, so your more talented batsman can score plenty of runs once the shine is off the ball. Well, this Ashes series has seen both teams attack from ball one and astonishingly there’s been a four hit from the first over of the match in each of the four Test matches.

With Zak Crawley facing the first ball for England in the first innings and David Warner facing the first cherry for Australia both have looked to get off to a quick start, and things should be no different at The Oval.

William Hill are offering an eye-catching 2/1 for each team to score over two runs in the first over of their first innings which looks a cracking bet to kick-start the final Test.

Joe Root & Steve Smith Both To Score A Fifty In 1st Innings @ 5/1

Both Joe Root and Steve Smith kick-started this Ashes series with sparkling centuries, but since then the pair have failed to click into three figures despite showing glimpses at the crease. Smith especially will be frustrated with his personal performance, as despite the team retaining the Ashes he has found himself getting a start and not going on.

Root has been an integral figure in the England middle order and hit a fine 84 in his last innings to put England on the front foot and he will look to kick on from that. The star batting pair will be eager to end the series on a high and the 5/1 for them both to score a fifty in the 1st innings looks a solid bet.

James Anderson - Man Of The Match @ 18/1

It could well be the last time we see James Anderson don an England shirt on home soil as the 40-year-old plays in his last ever Test match. Far from his best throughout this Ashes series, Anderson is yet to hit the heights of yesteryear (only bagged 4 wickets all series), but his swansong could see him go out on a high.

A rather ‘heart ruling over head’ tip, Anderson has a current record at The Oval having amassed 49 wickets in the 15 matches played with his best figures being 4/59, but the Lancashire paceman will be desperate to have an impact on the series, so why not take a chance at 18/1 for him to be named man of the match.