Cricket: Ponting's men told to enjoy Ashes pressure

LONDON - Australia must "have some fun" and embrace the intense build-up to the Ashes decider after some players suffered from stage fright at Lord's last month.

That is the advice of their coach Tim Nielsen before the fifth and final Test at The Oval starting on Friday.

The likes of Mitchell Johnson and Brad Haddin battled with nerves on the opening day at Lord's - the home of cricket - as hosts England took advantage to set up their 115-run second test victory.

The stakes could not be higher now with the series locked at 1-1 and Nielsen says his Ashes holders should relish the opportunity that presents.

"I think the most important thing from our perspective is we don't run away from the fact it is a big game," Nielsen said. "This is fun, this is why you play the highest level of sport for. When there's big occasions, there's big crowds and there is a perception around that it means a lot.

"Every test match means a lot but you get to special days and special moments like these, we're looking to embrace it and really have some fun in it."

With the Ashes also on the line in the fourth test at Headingley, the likes of Johnson and Haddin played their parts in Australia's innings and 80-run triumph.

On the other hand, a distracted England froze to the spot and were thrashed.

But Nielsen couldn't make any assurances about how his inexperienced players would react to the situation of a one-off clash for the sport's oldest prize this week.

"I don't think anyone can tell," he said. "You talk about the lead-up and walking out on to the ground with the expectation and the crowd and the tingles going down your spine.

"Our challenge this week is to make sure while we don't make it bigger than it is, we enjoy that. You don't get too many opportunities to play in a big game like this too often."

If the occasion is daunting enough for the Australians, then spare a thought for new England batsman Jonathan Trott.

The South African-raised cricketer is set to play his first test against an in-form Australian attack with England needing to win the match to regain the Ashes.

"I feel confident that I can do the job," Trott said on The Times website. "I've stepped up to new levels okay before. I would just try and break it down, think of it as 22 yards, the same Dukes ball the county guys bowl.

"The bowling might be quicker, more accurate, there might be more pressure, but it's just another game."

But it really isn't.

The forecast is for a mainly fine start with a chance of light rain on day two.

- AAP