Cricket: Australians take stock before final Ashes test

NOTTINGHAM, England - Australia's cricketers plan to spend the next few days de-fuzzing their minds to ready themselves for the deciding Ashes test against England at The Oval.

Needing a win to square the series and retain the Ashes, the tourists will go into the fifth test buoyed by how close they got to snatching victory at Trent Bridge, where England was reduced to a wobbling mess before it won by three wickets.

But fast bowler Brett Lee admitted the effects of such a tense test, amid such a dramatic series, had taken its toll and that the players were keen to clear their minds for a few days before playing Essex this weekend.

"The guys are very upset and disappointed we couldn't come away with a win," Lee said.

"It was a very tough four days of cricket. Now we can put that behind us.

"We can't reflect over what's happened in the past four days too much.

"We can have a few days away from cricket, we can enjoy it and have a game of golf. Do whatever takes the pressure off.

"Physically it's been a tough four days, it's been a tough four months. The last four days have been very taxing, mentally too.

"It's a matter now of going to freshen up and getting ready for this (tour) match on Saturday."

Australia tomorrow travels to London, where the players will rest and unwind for two days before they travel to Chelmsford.

The Essex match will be an important one to shape the side that takes the field in the final test, which starts on Thursday week.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has already indicated the batting line-up will not change for the final test, although Glenn McGrath is rated a good chance to bolster the bowling.

McGrath continues to undergo treatment for an elbow injury, which ruled him out at Trent Bridge.

- AAP