Are you surrounded by people who love cricket? Do you want to get involved in the Ashes but don’t know where to start? Luckily, we’ve put together a guide for what to expect from the crucial fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.
What has happened so far?
England is currently leading the Ashes series 2-1 after shaky Australian batting handed them a comfortable win in the third Test at Edgbaston.
Earlier in the series, Australia followed a disappointing loss in the first Test with a crushing 405-run victory in the second, largely thanks to a dominant performance from captain-in-waiting Steve Smith.
The batting
Batting holds the key for Australia in this Test match. Kevin Pietersen, an English cricketer most famous for talking a lot and not actually being English, said the batting order was “as fragile as any [he has] ever seen,” and for once he’s on the money.
It’s almost impossible to win a game of cricket if you don’t post a strong total in the first innings, so Michael Clarke’s men can’t afford another collapse like the one that cost them the game in Edgbaston.
Surrounded by struggling teammates, Chris Rogers has been one of the shining lights for Australia. The 37-year-old has remained steadfast at the top of the order, armed with a bulletproof technique and a steely resolve.
Chris Rogers’ looming retirement is the biggest threat facing Australian cricket today. #Ashes
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) July 29, 2015
While Rogers’ age has been an advantage for him, 35-year-old Adam Voges has proven experience doesn’t guarantee success. Voges has been forced to bat in difficult conditions, but his high score of 31 in the last five innings puts him under pressure to perform.
Opening batsman David Warner has also been far from his destructive best in this series. Known for his free-flowing style, Warner will be looking to halt England’s momentum by attacking the bowlers early on at Trent Bridge.
The bowling
The Australian bowling lineup has also proven inconsistent throughout the series. Mitchell Johnson, best known for intimidating batsmen with vicious short-pitched bowling, hasn’t been able to replicate his destructive form from the last Ashes series, where his dominance proved the difference between the two sides.
Johnson’s middling form wouldn’t be an issue if teammates Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were picking up the slack, but both bowlers have struggled to find a rhythm in the last test.
Australia will be looking for a bigger contribution from both Starc and Hazlewood in the series-defining fourth Test – if they can’t provide effective backup for Johnson, the Ashes will likely end up in English hands.
The English perspective
An injury to James Anderson is the biggest issue England will have to face in Nottingham. Anderson has missed just eight test matches in the last eight years, and his team has won just two of them. Even more telling is the fact that both those wins came against test-cricket minnows Bangladesh.
Aust poor with bat & ball here. Eng were better in all dep’s. Anderson a huge loss for 4th test though, Aust to win next test & level series
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) July 31, 2015
This heaps the pressure onto Stuart Broad, Mark Wood and Steve Finn. All three of them are capable of taking the wickets that England needs, but Anderson’s experience will be sorely missed.
So, who will win?
Both teams have been horribly inconsistent across the series, making it difficult to predict a winner. Australia has the more potent lineup, and has more to play for. If Clarke and his middle-order mates can find some form, it’s hard to see them being beaten.
Photo: John Garghan/Flickr
