England are 7/2 to wrestle back The Ashes from Australia as the two teams head for their 5th Test Oval showdown on Thursday

Paddy Power reports more money has been punted on the Aussies to win the 5th Test at 11/8 – although with the Oval’s batting record the bigger bets have been coming for a draw at 5/4.

But despite all the nerves amongst England fans, one man stands tall on who the nation’s hopes seemingly all rest if the betting is to be believed.

Flintoff Finale?

Could the script be written for one final Herculean act from Freddie Flintoff in his final Test match for England? Paddy Power are offering 10/1 that the talismanic all-rounder is Man of the Match at The Oval and punters are piling on. Its also 12/1 he weighs in with a half century and a five wicket innings during the match and 7/1 for a Freddie ton.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: "England fans may largely be writing off their team’s chances of a match win but Freddie will have other ideas and it would be fitting of the man to go out with a bang. Indeed with Flintoff picking up nearly one in three Man of the Match bets, it seems the fans are pinning all their hopes on him as well."

But plenty of other players will fancy winning The Ashes for their country with Ricky Ponting the 9/1 favourite to banish the memories of 2005 with a Man of the Match performance. Mitchell Johnson has overcome his early form and is 10/1 to terrorise the English batsmen into submission whilst England captain Andrew Strauss is 14/1.

Australia had been as big as 5/1 to win The Ashes prior to Headingley but were slashed into 6/4 series favourites by lunch on the first morning as England collapsed.

Ashes Betting Latest
7/2 England to win The Ashes
1/6 Australia to retain The Ashes

5th Test Betting
7/2 England
5/4 Draw
11/8 Australia

Who Will Be The Ashes Hero? (Man of Match)
9/1 Ponting
10/1 Flintoff
10/1 Johnson
12/1 Clarke
14/1 Strauss
14/1 Anderson
16/1 Swann
16/1 Hilfenhaus
16/1 Watson
16/1 Katich
16/1 Cook
18/1 Hussey
18/1 Collingwood
18/1 Sidebottom
18/1 Harmison
20/1 Bell
20/1 North
20/1 Trott
20/1 Clark
22/1 Bar

How many first innings wickets will Flintoff take? (must play)
7/2 None
7/2 One
3/1 Two
4/1 Three
11/2 Four
7/1 Five or more

12/1 Flintoff to score a half century and take five wickets in an innings in the match (Either Innings)
7/1 Flintoff to score a century (Either Innings)

England Top First Innings Runscorer
3/1 Strauss
4/1 Cook
5/1 Bell
5/1 Trott
11/2 Collingwood
7/1 Prior
9/1 Flintoff
25/1 Broad
40/1 Bar

Australia Top First Innings Runscorer
3/1 Ponting
7/2 Clarke
4/1 Katich
9/2 Watson
5/1 Hussey
5/1 Hughes
7/1 North
9/1 Haddin
33/1 Bar