4th Ashes Test Preview

The 4th Ashes test at Durham starts on Friday, and is sure to be a good match. The final 2 tests of the series have been made slightly less meaningful with the destination of the Ashes secure, but matches between England and Australia always have great meaning and are very hard fought. England will want to seal a series victory (with either a win or a draw here), meanwhile the Australian's will want some revenge and to try keep hopes of a series draw alive here with victory.

Both teams have the odd selection question, but nothing as drastic as in the last match. Right it's time to explore what we can expect, both selection wise and from the players that start the match, from both teams.

England

England will be unchanged in the batting department for the fourth test, and there are no need for changes. Ian Bell has been England's top run scorer and a run machine so far in the series while Joe Root and now Kevin Pietersen have also made centuries in the series. Jonny Bairstow has made some decent contributions, and hasn't done badly for a young man in his first Ashes series. Alastair Cook made a half-century at Old Trafford but has still been below par and performed below expectation in this series so far. He along with Jonathon Trott could do with some runs, and I think they'll get them now that the pressure is off a little bit. If Jonathon Trott can sort out his technical issues, then he will be back to his best and it could be a run fest for him.

As for the bowlers, there are a couple of small questions: Will Graham Onions play? And if so, who will he replace? Well I think Onions will play and will replace either James Anderson if they think he needs a rest or Tim Bresnan, as a straight replacement for 3rd seamer in the attack. I have a feeling that Bresnan will be the man to miss out, as England won't want to rest players before this series is won. Graeme Swann could well have an important role as a dry pitch is again expected at the ICG at Durham, should well turn in the latter stages. I think Stuart Broad could well have a big match here, has been missing a bit with the ball in this series, bowled well in Manchester for little reward.

Key Man: Captain Alastair Cook is due a big hundred, and with the pressure of him with the Ashes retained he could well loosen up and score heavily in this match.

Australia

Australia don't have as many questions to answer with bat or ball after Old Trafford, the main questions being: What will the batting order be? and: Will Ryan Harris be rested? For me it should be the same order as in the 2nd innings in Manchester, with Warner opening with Rogers, Watson batting at 5 and Steve Smith at 6.  The only man who has been particularly short of runs in there has been Shane Watson, and i'm not sure he'll be any better suited batting in the middle order. Usman Khawaja could also do with a score after some bad luck in the 3rd Test, but he is struggling with spin at the moment and needs to counteract that if he is to get a score. Dave Warner has definetly got a big score in him and he could well send the opening bowlers off of their lines by smashing them everywhere, the crowd should spur him on as well.

As for the bowlers I think that Ryan Harris could well get a rest with the winter in mind, they won't want to see him getting injured playing back-to-back tests. Jackson Bird would be the man to come in for him. Nathan Lyon will have another go in this match, and a key one it could be for him if he is to hold his spot in the team, the Aussie selectors are not afraid to chop and change with the spinners. Mitchell Starc has done nothing wrong either and this could well be the ground for a bowler like him to shine. As for Peter Siddle, he has had a great series and is the 2nd leading wicket taker and the top for Australia in the wickets chart.

Key Man: David Warner could make a big score at the top of the innings in no time at all, and soon give Australia control as the England seamer's wouldn't know where to bowl to him. A few extravagant shots would also put him on top of his war with the home crowd in Durham also, as the banter between them and Warner is sure to continue.


Whatever happens in this match, it is sure to be an intriguing one (if the weather stays away), and one that I expect England to dominate after their lucky escape at Old Trafford, and one that will hurt Australia. I'll be back for updates after the close on each day of the match, so keep an eye out for those. Thanks for reading!