Tim Paine described the fifth Ashes Test as Australia's "grand final" as they target their first series win in England since 2001.
The tourists have already retained the urn after winning the fourth Test at Old Trafford to take a 2-1 lead, but captain Paine said they were "very hungry" to complete the job at the Oval.
The #Ashes may be retained, but skipper Tim Paine insists he's not about to bow out in a blaze of glory https://t.co/xzeVvtR982 pic.twitter.com/lAcR8OEVv3
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 11, 2019
All-rounder Mitchell Marsh has been recalled to the 12-man squad in place of Travis Head to ease the workload on Australia's impressive pace attack.
Australia have made one change to their victorious #Ashes side, by dropping Travis Head, who scored 191 runs @ 27 in the 4 Tests so far for Mitchell Marsh.#ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/6J29jmq9X2
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA) September 11, 2019
"We've already spoken a lot about it (the final Test)," Paine said Wednesday on the eve of the match. "We came here to win the Ashes, not just to retain them.
"Last week's result was brilliant and we played very well but all the guys are fully aware that this Test match is bigger than that one.
"This is our grand finale. We want this Test just as much as any other Test that we've played in this series."
Australia bounced back to win the fourth match of the series at Old Trafford after Ben Stokes inspired England to a dramatic one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley.
Root's captaincy has come under scrutiny after England's failure to regain the Ashes but Paine said Australia would not underestimate him.
"We know Joe Root's a fantastic cricketer," he said. "I don't get sometimes why he's under so much scrutiny but that's this level of international sport.
"We know how competitive he is, we know how good he is, we know he'll be coming hard and looking to bounce back this week so he's a huge wicket for us as he always is."
Paine said Marsh's inclusion was aimed at easing the workload on his impressive pace attack and that he had "full faith" in his batting.
"We just wanted a bit more bowling depth in the squad to cover what looks like a really good wicket and be able to look after our big fast bowlers," said Paine.
Australia squad for fifth Ashes Test:
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (C & WK), Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Don't forget me! Veteran seamer Peter Siddle has made his case for a recall as the #Ashes series heads towards its conclusion at The Oval https://t.co/4zAxARyz1w pic.twitter.com/NYzSctmkmT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) September 11, 2019
Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Oli Scarff
