“This Ashes series has been so strange,” Cook says.

“Neither side has been able to nail down the opposition when they have been ahead so there could be a twist in it.

“But I think England will get over the line.”

That seems to be the general consensus among the commentators.

“Australia will bowl [some good balls],” former England skipper Michael Vaughan said.

“Australia will challenge England because they’ll bowl some good spells and make things difficult.

“But this England side, they have to win. They have to come [today] with momentum. They don’t have any other option.

“Australia do have another option … they still have Old Trafford and The Oval.

“Australia will hope for a bit of cloud.”

Well, there is a bit of cloud about.

“It’s going to be a riveting day again,” Glenn McGrath said.

“The thing I like about this England team, there’s a lot of talk about Bazball, but they play without fear The scoreboard’s not going to put any extra pressure on them.

“That’s one thing in their favour.

“Australia just have to get enough balls in the right areas rather than go chasing wickets.

“If they go chasing wickets this team will get away very quickly.”