Key battles that could help turn the urn's destination

England and Australia's chances of winning will rely on who shines at No 5 and the outcome of Archer v Khawaja

- Taha Hashim

Travis Head v Harry Brook

Before Bazball, there was Travis Head. He was the one playing on fast-forward during the 2021-22 Ashes, sprinting to 152 at the Gabba in a career-shifting innings.

The southpaw has since slashed tons in two finals against India, excelled in challenging Australian conditions, and can break out of a lean patch with a chainsawwielding knock. Never mind his three consecutive single-figure scores during Australia's 3-1 win over India a year ago. He'd already hit consecutive hundreds to turn the direction of the series.

Harry Brook, Head's counterpart at No 5, plays a similarly wild game. This modern duel feels more significant than the storied battle of Steve Smith v Joe Root, particularly if they face the seamer-friendly scenes that make middle-order counterattacks decisive. Brook has remarkable consistency, with seven away hundreds after four Test tours (albeit across two countries: Pakistan and New Zealand). Head has familiarity, averaging a touch over 53 in Australia since the start of 2022. Both will be pelted with the short ball and endure comical dismissals. They will probably decide the series, too.

Pat Cummins v Joe Root