It was 10 years ago here at Edgbaston in Birmingham that England won a most memorable 2-run victory against their oldest rivals, which turned the 2005 Ashes around in their favor. The 2005 Ashes was perhaps the greatest ever. There was a lot of talk about this Ashes series equaling that, but for that to happen, England really have to make a strong comeback from the brutal defeat in the last Test at the Lord’s.
They lost that match by over 400 runs, which was one of the biggest Ashes defeat in history. Understandably, England have been shaken by the loss and have made one significant change, bringing in Johnny Bairstow in place of the ineffective Gary Balance, who has really lost in stature since the New Zealand series at the start of the summer. His inadequacies against quality fast bowling have been exposed for all to see by the likes of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Trent Boult.
It’s a hard task for captain Alastair Cook and coach Trevor Bayliss to ensure that England don’t get into a state of despair as they did 2 years ago in Australia. As Cook explained, following the defeat at Lord’s, “It was a tough four days, especially after Cardiff, to put in a performance like that but the beauty of the time away and of playing at home is you get to slide off for a few days, get away from the bubble of the Ashes.”
England also face losing fast bowler Mark Wood because of an injury. Wood has been sensational for England since his debut against New Zealand early in the summer, but even he was largely unsuccessful in the Lord’s Test, taking just 1 wicket in 38 overs.
For Australia, it’s business as usual, as they take heart in the fact that fast bowler Mitchell Johnson looks to be back to his menacing best. Captain Michael Clarke has been looking forward to tomorrow’s Test with great enthusiasm. Clarke talked about how Australia have the perfect attack: “The way we were able to take 20 wickets at Lord’s – and that was as flat as you’re going to get – I don’t think too much adjustment will be needed.”
Australia are expected to play the same team that did so well in the last Test, with Phil Nevil set to hold on to his spot as the wicketkeeper ahead of veteran Brad Haddin, who has made himself available for selection. In fact, it does seem that Haddin might have well played his last Test for Australia.
How the pitch plays at Edgbaston might as well decide the course of the match. The last couple of Tests were played on flat wickets. It is expected to be different here in Edgbaston, with a green-top that has been compared by Michael Clarke to the pitch Gabba at Brisbane, back home in Australia. England would hope to win the toss and take the first advantage.
The Teams
England: 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Adam Lyth, 3 Ian Bell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Jonny Bairstow, 6 Ben Stokes, 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Moeen Ali, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Mark Wood, 11 James Anderson
Australia: 1 David Warner, 2 Chris Rogers, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Adam Voges, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Peter Nevill (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Josh Hazlewood, 11 Nathan Lyon
Match Conditions
Pace and bounce – that’s what we expect the pitch at Edgbaston to provide. The weather forecast is good and we expect all five days of the Test match to be played, provided it does last so long.
Watch England take on Australia in the 3rd Test of the Investec Ashes live on Star Sports at 3:30 PM from July 29th to August 2nd.
