ENGLAND'S cricketers are on the brink of emulating the achievements of our soccer side in 1966 and the Rugby Union heroes of 2003. The Ashes are up for grabs at the Oval over the next five days, with Michael Vaughan's superstars bidding for sporting immortality.

It's a sudden death battle for cricket's Holy Grail.

Lancashire's Stuart Law said: "England have already put cricket back on the map, and it could go into outer space at the Oval."

Law is one of six M.E.N. Sport columnists who today look forward to the clash and point the way towards the outcome.

MARK CHILTON: England should replace Simon Jones with Jimmy Anderson. The attack has worked superbly and this would be a like-for-like swap. That would enable them to go into the game with the tactics which have served them so well. England have bossed it since the first Test at Lord's and I don't see any reason for that to change.

Maybe the Aussies will put a big score on the board and then try to put us under pressure through Shane Warne, who can bowl anyone out. But it is Australia who have been under pressure in the last three matches and we've got to keep them there. Jimmy could help them to do that.

ANDREW SYMONDS: Australia won't make any big changes in how they approach the game because of what has happened recently. Obviously, they are disappointed about how they have performed, but they know what's got to be done at the Oval and they can pull it off.

To finish up 2-2 would be a great effort - they would keep the Ashes and feel a sense of achievement. We missed Glenn McGrath badly at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, but if he fails to make it, I wouldn't be unhappy to see Stuart Clarke take over.

I've played against him a bit back home and he is a solid seam bowler. It would be a massive game for him to go into on his Test debut, but he would see it as a great opportunity.

MIKE WATKINSON: England have been up and at `em throughout the series, taking the game to the Aussies. The England attack has constantly asked questions and that, coupled with good plans for the Aussie batsmen - particularly their left-handers - has kept England on top.

I'd rather not look at the Oval as a one-off or as a cup final. When you do that, it can produce different attitudes and strategies and there's no need. If England just take it as the fifth game of the series and approach it in the same way they have approached the other matches, they will do well.

A sudden-death atmosphere could make you more defensive. I would pick Jimmy Anderson in place of Simon Jones.

STUART LAW: Australia might be caught in two minds, whether to change things or to stick with what they have done so far, believing that it's got to come right.

Apart from Ricky Ponting, not one of their batsmen has scored a century, which is very strange. It's a worry for them but players such as Matt Hayden and Damien Martyn are still world-class.

Hayden has scored 1,000 Test runs in each of the previous four years. He is going through a drought but the Oval might suit his game. And I think Martyn has had a couple of poor decisions, which have stopped him from cutting loose.

It is a pressure situation for both teams, but Australia can handle it.

COLIN EVANS: It's the biggest game in England's history and Michael Vaughan's side have got to believe they will win it. No half measures, no time for safety-first tactics by using the all-round talent of Paul Collingwood. That would send out the wrong signals to the Aussies who are sure to fight, and are bursting to show that they remain the world's No 1 team.

England's attack, including Jimmy Anderson, have only to do what they have done in previous matches and, inspired by Andy Flintoff, they can strike fear into Australian hearts.

But England also need a stack of runs and Ian Bell, who has had a rough time in his first major series, has got to play a bigger part.

JIM CUMBES: Andy Flintoff has been a huge influence in the series and he is the right guy for a crunch match such as this because he is a winner. He binds the side together and he epitomises the fighting spirit of this England team.

I think his bowling is more important than his batting, because while Steve Harmison has done well enough, he has not been firing as he has done in previous years.

Australia will come hard at England. They are street fighters, but England have learned how to scrap as well and it will be compelling cricket once again.

My team would include Jimmy Anderson and Paul Collingwood. Tweet