England vs. Australia: Third Ashes Test Preview

England vs. Australia: Third Ashes Test Preview

Match details

Series/tournament name: The Ashes

Venue: Leeds

Date: 22 August, 2019

Time: 3:30 p.m. IST

Preview:

England and Australia will be battling it out in the third Test of the 2019 Ashes series, starting from Thursday in Leeds. The visitors are in the lead after registering a thumping win in the series opener, therefore, they will go in the match as favourites.

Weather report:

After losing play at Lord's, eventually resulting in a draw, the weather during the match is likely to stay fine throughout the third Test.

Pitch report:

Traditionally, the pitch is expected to be a good one for batting with help for seamers.

Injuries:

Australia have suffered a major blow before the third Test as in-form Steve Smith has been ruled out of the match due to concussion after being hit by a ball during the first innings of the second Test.

Probable Playing XI:

Australia:

In the absence of Smith, there will be added responsibility on the likes of out-of-form David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Mathew Wade and Travis Head to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of in-form Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to provide timely breakthroughs.

David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (captain, wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

England:

England will be coming in the match high on confidence

Match details

Series/tournament name: The Ashes

Venue: Leeds

Date: 22 August, 2019

Time: 3:30 p.m. IST

Preview:

England and Australia will be battling it out in the third Test of the 2019 Ashes series, starting from Thursday in Leeds. The visitors are in the lead after registering a thumping win in the series opener, therefore, they will go in the match as favourites.

Weather report:

After losing play at Lord's, eventually resulting in a draw, the weather during the match is likely to stay fine throughout the third Test.

Pitch report:

Traditionally, the pitch is expected to be a good one for batting with help for seamers.

Injuries:

Australia have suffered a major blow before the third Test as in-form Steve Smith has been ruled out of the match due to concussion after being hit by a ball during the first innings of the second Test.

Probable Playing XI:

Australia:

In the absence of Smith, there will be added responsibility on the likes of out-of-form David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Mathew Wade and Travis Head to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of in-form Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to provide timely breakthroughs.

David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (captain, wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

England:

England will be coming in the match high on confidence as well after nearly securing an impressive win in the second Test. In the batting department, the team will be relying on the likes of captain Joe Root, in-form Ben Stokes and opener Rory Burns to score bulk of the runs, whereas on the bowling front, the onus will be on the likes of young Jofra Archer, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad and Jack Leach to provide timely breakthroughs.

Rory Burns, Jason Roy, Joe Root (captain), Joe Denly, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach.

Top picks:

Batsman: David Warner (10 Cr)

David Warner is one of Australia's premier batsman in red-ball cricket as well. However, the left-hander is having a horrid series with the bat in hand as he is yet to score in double figures in four innings. With Steve Smith out of the third Test, there will be added pressure on Warner to deliver and make himself count.

Wicketkeeper: Tim Paine (8 Cr)

Tim Paine's position as a wicketkeeper-batsman in the Australian team is becoming uncertain to say the least, especially with string of poor performances with the bat in hand. The 34-year-old has only managed scored of 5, 34, 23 and 4 in four innings.

All-rounder: Ben Stokes (10 Cr)

Ben Stokes is being termed by many as the best all-rounder across all formats and the 28-year-old just showed that with a breathtaking 115 not out in the second innings of the Lord's Test. Therefore, the team management will be hoping for a similar kind of performance from their star performer.

Bowler: Jofra Archer (8.5 Cr)

Jofra Archer has announced himself in Test cricket in an outstanding manner as he was clearly the difference between down and out English team of the first Test compared to nearly victorious home team in the second. The right-arm pacer claimed five wickets in two innings at Lord's and by far looked the best bowler from the home side.

Captaincy options: Ben Stokes, Pat Cummins, Jofra Archer

Dream11 team:

Extra:

Headingley in Leeds will be used as the venue for the contest, which will be hosting its 78th Test. Highest team score of 653-4 at the ground in a five-day contest was registered by Australia in 1993 whereas lowest total of 61 was registered by West Indies in the year 2000. Highest individual score of 334 at the ground in Test cricket was registered by legendary Sir Don Bradman, whereas best bowling figures of 8-43 in an innings was registered by England's Bob Willis in 1981.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Azeem Siddiqui
Passionate sports follower in the field of sports journalism for more than five years. Loves writing about cricket, football, and tennis.
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