KEY FACTORS IN AUSTRALIA’S BID TO RETAIN THE ASHES WITH A WIN IN MANCHESTER
DAVID WARNER HOLDING OFF STUART BROAD
Australia have stood by their opener, backing him in for the fourth Test after back-to-back failures at Headingley. Teammates insist Warner’s begins on this sequence have been essential, with three opening partnerships of 50-plus runs with Usman Khawaja. But the actual fact Broad has eliminated him 17 occasions in Test cricket can’t be denied. Expect Warner to take a way more attacking method into this Test by way of the early levels.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE GOING ON WITH A START
Labuschagne entered this sequence because the world’s top-ranked batsman however has averaged simply 24 up to now, with a prime rating of 47. In a irritating run, the right-hander has handed 50 solely as soon as in his previous 16 innings. But Australia are insistent there are positives to be taken from the actual fact he’s frequently getting begins earlier than getting out, having scored between 20 and 50 up to now 4 innings.
FINDING A WAY TO HANDLE MARK WOOD
Wood’s tempo made an enormous distinction for England at Headingley, the place the right-armer not solely took seven wickets however constructed the strain to have batters fall on the different finish whereas he was bowling. England plan on utilizing him briefly, sharp bursts in Manchester this week, so it will likely be essential for Australia to bat for lengthy durations to put on down Wood and the remainder of a house facet assault that has a mean age of 36.
STOPPING BEN STOKES
Australia have made no secret of their need to dismiss Stokes earlier than he begins batting with the tail, when the England captain has been at his most damaging. His heavy hitting at Lord’s nearly gained the hosts the second Test, whereas quick runs for the ultimate wickets at Headingley turned the match dramatically within the first innings. Stokes averages 52.8 at Old Trafford, however Australia have had some success with Mitchell Starc bowling at him on this sequence.
TRAVIS HEAD’S SPIN
Head goes to be known as upon as Australia’s chief spinner after the choice to go away out Todd Murphy and play 5 seamers. The South Australian took 4-10 in opposition to Sri Lanka in Galle final 12 months, however maybe extra pertinently he claimed two scalps at Lord’s earlier on this sequence when the guests have been lacking an injured Nathan Lyon. England have performed shorter innings up to now this sequence, that means Head’s workload shouldn’t be too excessive, however the Old Trafford wicket is understood to show late in matches.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
