The fourth Ashes Test is all set to commence tomorrow at Nottingham, Trent Bridge. The Aussies are immediately under the radar after the poor performance in the last test, and for England they would be looking to keep the momentum going and regain the Ashes.
Apart from the top order batsman, the Australian middle order struggled a lot to make runs which was their undoing in the third test match. However, the English side was fantastic in changing the momentum towards their side after the setback at Lords.
In the Third Test match, the skipper Michael Clarke won the toss and decided to bat first and their batting line up was blown away with some stupendous swing bowling from James Anderson. Australia was all out for just 136. Anderson ended up with best figures in an Ashes test with 6-47. However, England didn’t make a huge first innings total but it was good enough to take a good lead of 145. Australia in their second innings put some resistance and David Warner was the lone warrior in the top order and rest of the contributions were from the tail. The destroyer for Australia this time around was the 6 feet tall Steven Finn who picked up 6 for 79 in his Test match return. Australia ended up making 265 and set a target of 120, which the English side chased quite comfortably with Ian Bell scoring an unbeaten 65.
The Australian side found themselves in a do or die situation in the upcoming Nottingham test and they should win it to stay alive in the series. Michael Clarke, is also short of runs and many questions were raised about his future and this is what the Aussie skipper had to say “A big reason for me retiring from one-day cricket was to prolong my Test career, and I still love playing and competing at the highest level.
“People can certainly have a shot at me about my performance, but they can’t have a shot at me about my desire and my will to play this great game – whether that be for Australia, NSW or Western Suburbs. To this day, I’m the first to training and the last to leave, so don’t tell me that I don’t have the desire and the hunger.
“I have no intention to walk away from cricket. Chris Rogers waited until 35 years of age to play his second Test. I’m 34 not 37 and I want to keep playing for Australia beyond this series, however I will be judged on performance like everyone else.”
Middle Order’s lack of runs is ailing the Australian side at the moment and they can’t afford to make a single mistake in the all important fourth Test.
However, England would go in as the firm favourites in the third Test but they have suffered a huge blow as James Anderson will be missing the fourth Test due to a side strain.
Probable playing eleven for Australia: Chris Rogers, David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Probable playing eleven for England: Alastair Cook, Adam Lyth, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Jos Butler, Mooen Ali, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Liam Plunkett