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Despite England retaining the Ashes this week, the series is far from dead from an Australian point of view.
There are players in the side who have more than pride to play for and will be looking to establish themselves so they play a prominent part in the Ashes back home from late November.
For starters, opener Chris Rogers played beautifully but will be disappointed he didn’t nail the hundred he should have.
He has got a few starts this series. But one gets the feeling, at 35 years of age, unless he gets a big score, he is going to be under a little pressure to keep his spot in the side.
Usman Khawaja
Undoubtedly talented with the bat, and was clearly unlucky in the first dig at Old Trafford. Showed some good signs in the second innings but could have been stumped off Swann.
With two Tests left, the fact is, he needs a big score to prove his talent to everyone and to justify his place in the side, which will silence some doubters.
Steven Smith
Has been encouraging with bat and made the most of his luck in the first innings.
I would encourage him to really to work on his spin bowling so that he has the other string to his bow. We don’t want him to turn into another Cameron White, who started his career as a leggie and is still a talented batsman, but then dropped off with the ball and has all but given it up.
Back in Australia, where conditions will be different, Smith could play as the sole spinner/fifth bowler at the WACA to give the team more flexibility.
Nathan Lyon
I am a fan of his bowling, and sometimes he gets harshly treated in the media. He bowled well at Old Trafford without a lot of luck.
But the bare facts are that England play spin much better than the Aussies do at the moment. Lyon was starting to cause a few worries on day five and bowled well at the lefties in the first dig.
What we need to see from the selectors is that they put faith in him as Australia’s number one spinner and give him every opportunity for the rest of the series.
Shane Watson
Let’s face it, the only reason he is in the team at the moment is because his good bowling is keeping him in there. The stats don’t lie: Watson’s numbers batting in the top six are too low so he can’t remain in the eleven based on that alone.
However, it’s been a win/win at the top of the order this series as we are discovering his true worth in that position, and obviously if he keeps struggling, a change will have to be made and he may well slip down the order this Test.
There is massive pressure on him, with all-rounder James Faulkner in the wings, who is a superior bowler and developing well as a batsman.
I have had my reservations with Watto at the top of the order, and at this point in the series, I have been proved right. In my view, David Warner should open in the fourth Test and Watto should slip down the order where he will hopefully make a positive contribution.
The Aussies had a great Test at Manchester and would have won had the rain not come along. Let’s hope that with similar form from the team, they can play well and win the fourth Test.