Ashes 2019: 3rd Test preview – England seek parity against Smith-less Australia

Rained-off day at Lord’s robbed us of what could have been a tantalising Test match between two evenly-matched teams. England finished the game on a moral high but it serves them little with the scoreline reading 1-0 in Australia’s favour after two matches. The biggest positive for the hosts will be Archer injecting life in the game with his pace bowling and knocking Steve Smith out of the third Test. Joe Root’s men will be hoping to build on the positives going into the third Test at Headingley.

Also read: Test cricket the winner as Australia draw 2nd Test on final day

Match Info

England vs Australia: 3rd Test, 22nd August

Headingley, Leeds (03:30 PM IST)

Head-To-Head

It has been a close affair at Headingley. In 24 Tests played between the Ancient rivals, Australia have won nine whereas the hosts have emerged victorious seven times. Eight have been draws. The last Ashes Test at this venue was played in 2009 where England lost by an innings and 80 runs.

Team News

England

The hosts will be playing the third Test without their most successful bowler in Test cricket. James Anderson is still recovering from the injury. His replacement, Jofra Archer, was sensational on his debut. Although he did not dismiss Steve Smith, it was his bouncer that sent the prolific batsman into concussion. England have announced an unchanged 12-man squad for the game. The bowling attack is likely to remain the same unless the trailing side decides to go without a frontline spinner.

While batsmen have managed to retain their places in the team, the batting order could undergo transition. Coach Trevor Bayliss accepted that Jason Roy is not the best fit for the opening role. We may see a promotion for Jonny Bairstow or Joe Root as the opening partner for Rory Burns. Roy was hit by Archer in the training yesterday and although is most likely to play, Ollie Pope has been called up as his cover.

Australia

Smith’s absence is clearly a massive setback for the Aussies. After the first two Tests, his run tally of 378 runs is more than the double of any other Australian batsman. Marnus Labuschagne, who substituted for Smith post-concussion, is the frontrunner to take the number four spot. Rest of the batting lineup is likely to remain the same.

Australia believes in rotating their highly skilled pace bowling attack. Mitchell Starc has not appeared in the first two Tests, he may get a go at Leeds. James Pattinson was rested after the first Test. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is a certainty to start with others being in the rotation phase.

Key Players

Joe Root (England): The England captain was one batsman who was trusted to handle the fragile top-order, however, he has failed to notch decent scores. The talented batsman looks like a pale shadow of himself. Root will need to come up with something special if he has to salvage his and his team’s honour.

David Warner (Australia): After setting the limited-overs area alight with his splendid consistency, Warner is yet to find runs in the Ashes. The left-hander has scored only 18 runs from four outings – same as Nathan Lyon. The absence of Smith puts him under even more pressure to come out of the slump. His runs at the top can unsettle any opposition.

Probable XI

England: R Burns, J Denly, J Root (C), J Roy, B Stokes, J Bairstow (WK), J Buttler, C Woakes, J Leach, S Broad, J Archer

Australia: D Warner, C Bancroft, U Khawaja, M Labuschagne, T Head, M Wade, T Paine (C & WK), P Cummins/J Pattinson, P Siddle, N Lyon, J Hazlewood/M Starc