Ignorance has proved bliss for Marcus Trescothick in breaking Australia's dominance over him in Test cricket.

England vice-captain Trescothick heads into the heat of the Ashes decider at The Oval this week as the top run scorer in the series, amassing 355 in four matches to date.

Such a return provided a perfect riposte to continued barracking from the Australian camp about his susceptibility outside off-stump.

Australia have dominated in the verbal sparring as much as they have on the field in the past decade but this time their barbs have fallen on deaf ears.

"I didn't read any of it or hear of it," said Somerset left-hander Trescothick. "If you don't listen, it doesn't have any effect. It can't get to you."

Trescothick entered this enthralling campaign, which England lead 2-1, having scored only four half-centuries in ten previous Ashes Tests, but the collective ability of Michael Vaughan's men has allowed a change of mood this summer.

"Everyone judges you on how you play against the best team in the world and up until this series I haven't played that well against them," admitted Trescothick.

"In past series it was not easy being under pressure every time you went out to bat. You are not able to play your natural game whereas this time I have been.

"I have been able to go out and enjoy the game, play positively and not feel pressure on me. The way the team has played has taken a lot of the pressure off."

From Trescothick's point of view, things could not be set up any better as England attempt to dethrone Ricky Ponting's men by avoiding defeat at The Oval.

"This is the kind of situation you dream of but there is still a big job to be done," he said. "If we don't do it the whole summer is irrelevant because they take the Ashes back."

Australia have called Middlesex seamer Stuart Clark into their squad as cover for Glenn McGrath.

Veteran seamer McGrath has insisted he has recovered from right elbow injury which meant he missed last week's fourth Test at Trent Bridge but Australia's management are less convinced and have called Clark into the squad.