It’s been only three days since the end of the third Ashes Test but it will seem like a lot of water has passed under the bridge when England and Australia meet for the fourth game in Durham. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 8.00pm AEST.
Rain played havoc on the fifth and final day of the third Test, causing much heartache to Australia after it seemed like they were in a position of great strength.
Since then, the DRS has remained the cynosure of everyone’s eyes for all the wrong reasons, following some appalling decisions and controversy around the alleged usage of silicone-tape to hide thin edges through to the keeper.
The ICC has denied allegations of cheating but the matter won’t die a natural death that easily, especially if the Hot Spot shows signs it’s not in the best of shapes to show up bat nicks. Or, all of a sudden it starts catching every nick!
In short, unless England and Australia play out a wonderfully crafted match that goes right down to the wire with the usual twists and turns, and ebbs and flows an exciting Test is known to dish out, DRS could yet again dominate discussion.
On the field of play, Australia will feel they were hard done by the weather last game, while some others may argue it was necessary for Michael Clarke to declare early.
Either way, Australia have lost the Ashes again and it’s down to damage control when they take field for the fourth Test. And the only way to do it is to win both the remaining Tests.
England will consider their performance in the third Test as a minor blip. An aberration at worst.
What they will need to be wary of is the lack of runs from the bats of Alastair Cook and Jonathon Trott, who have gone a combined total of 12 innings this series without a century.
Jonny Bairstow is still wet behind his ears as far as his Test career is concerned but the management will want something more substantial at number six.
That said, it’s difficult to see too many changes to either line-ups. News of Jackson Bird coming into the side has filtered in through reports but one isn’t sure who of Ryan Harris or Mitchell Starc will be sitting out.
Shane Watson also looks all set to lose his top-order slot to Dave Warner, which means he will come in at the number six slot – behind Usman Khawaja, Michael Clarke and Steven Smith.
For England, Chris Tremlett is a chance and he could replace Tim Bresnan. The rest of the order should remain the same.
Follow the live score and blog of the fifth day’s play of the third Test from 8.00pm AEST. You can join me for this live blog and post your comments below.
StevenG
Guest
It’s amazing how things become so different when the Australian side is selected properly. Watson should have never been picked as an opener he’s a great all-rounder but he’s no opening batsman Warner and Rogers should have always been the openers and the second thing is when “Hawkeye” is used properly and there are skilful appeals made by the Australian captain then things happen and the refs can be proven for what they are as the decision makers especially Aleem Dar who cost Australia the first test after a pathetic decision of not giving Broad out. Lyon’s selection was a welcome one especially when he excelled in taking 4 wickets and as he said “he kept everything simple” a great days play and Australia has built a great platform for a win but only the next couple of days will tell the outcome.
anfalicious
Guest
I've been waiting to see Lyon bowl like this :) Well, I didn't see it, I went to bed before he came on. What's he doing differently?
Partyhat
Guest
I like Little Creatures, Chris, they sell Sparkling in Waitrose. Majestic sell crates of Coopers Pale ale. I wouldn't pour VB down the toilet in case it damaged the pipes!
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
I think that's fairly common on lifeless pitches like this, when the ball gets soft it is hard to hit boundaries. Patience is paramount on this kind of deck. It's the kind of pitch that the likes of Cook, Trott and Bell excel on because they are prepared to graft, safe in the knowledge they probably won't get a jaff that will undo them (although Cook found otherwise).
WherethebloodyhellRya
Guest
Thanks Geoff. Chris if I win the bet my beer will be warm so it won't really matter what it is.
Chris
Guest
I get a crate sent over here from time to time. Laithwaites import it into the UK. I go all missionary with friends telling them they HAVE to try it, because naturally they all think all Australian beer is pap.
Chris
Guest
Foster's? I'd only inflict that on you if you lost the bet, not won it.
Geoff Lemon
Expert
Good choice.
WherethebloodyhellRya
Guest
Sure. Cos you can't get one in Australia, make mine a Fosters please.
Chris
Guest
Sounds a plan to me. My order is Cooper's Sparkling by the way.
WherethebloodyhellRya
Guest
You're on Chris, a pint on the closest prediction?
Chris
Guest
Cheers Suneer.
WherethebloodyhellRya
Guest
Very good work and thank you Suneer
Chris
Guest
Hell of a good run rate on an attritional pitch if they manage that. For what it's worth my forecast is also England all out early tomorrow, I'll be optimistic and say 260, and Australia mmmmmm, 220 all out.
WherethebloodyhellRya
Guest
I'm gonna take my crystal ball back and get a refund. England supposed to be all out for 233. England all out early tomorrow for 247 and Australia 7 for 303 at stumps
Chris
Guest
Yep, Australia bowled well today. England were a bit iffy to be sure. I'm interested how it seemed to get progressively harder as the ball got older. Any thoughts?
Nudge
Guest
Nice one
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Right, so England survive and end the day on 9/238. Interesting day's play first up, when it started with the pitch looking flat but then changed tack from the second session onward. The sense I got was that the batsmen got a tad confused by it...in the first session when it was playing well, they chose to defend in order to preserve wickets for the later sessions when they thought it would ease out but quite the opposite happened. To add to their misery, they played some strange shots. Kevin Pietersen was looking to hit every other ball over the fence, Ian Bell jumped down in the first over after the tea break and Jonny Bairstow bored himself into playing a slog sweep. Still credit to the way Lyon bowler, he was easily under pressure from the mauling he received last game and managed to hold himself together when KP was looking to attack him again. Harris was expensive but got a couple and Bird was decent on his Ashes debut. A word on Clarke's captaincy - for starters, he used the DRS well and that's a huge improvement. The bowling changes fell into place too and he will quite happy with the result at the end of the day. Tomorrow promises to be as exciting and I will be there to cover it for you. Till then, have a good night ahead! Ciao!
Chris
Guest
I'd be petrified of you in the shower too!
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Sensational effort by the Aussies. Patient and disciplined, the opposite of England's display.