England believe they can claim a moral Ashes series victory over Australia with a win at The Oval, determined to leave Pat Cummins with a hollow feeling when he lifts the urn.

Still disappointed by the washed-out draw in Manchester, England have arrived in London desperate to level the series at 2-2 and deny Australia a series victory.

Beaten by narrow margins at Edgbaston and Lord's before a tight win in Leeds, England believe they should be level in the series after being in control of the game at Old Trafford.

And, in the hosts' eyes, victory in Thursday's fifth Test at The Oval would allow them to walk away firmly believing they were the better team.

"We were dominating the game last week weren't we? So if the game had played out, I would like to think we would have won that," England batter Harry Brook said.

"So if we can win this week, it almost can make it a moral victory.

"It's a shame the weather ruined it for us because we'd have felt very confident going into this game at 2-2."

Brook said he "absolutely" wanted to ensure Cummins felt hollow when Australia received the urn, after the Manchester draw ensured it would remain in their keeping.

The 24-year-old also rejected suggestions England were being sore losers, while clear that his team wanted to deny Australia their first series win in England since 2001.

"We haven't lost yet," Brook said.

"They've only retained it. So, if we win this week, it's a draw isn't it?

"That would be lovely (to deny Australia a drought-breaking series win). It's not nice drawing is it, but it would be lovely to not give them that privilege."

Brooks's comments came a day after English opener Zak Crawley said a 2-2 result in the series would be a "fair" scoreline for the Ashes series.