England v Australia, third Ashes Test
Jul 30-Aug 3 2009, Edgbaston, Birmingham
TV: Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports HD1
Radio: BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio Four (Long Wave)
Live Web Updates: Racing Diary
The last time England met Australia at Edgbaston a Classic Ashes clash was served up; here are the highlights…
Who Plays;
Australia must decide whether to stick with Mitchell Johnson at Edgbaston or turn to the more reliable Stuart Clark. Johnson started this tour poorly and has got steadily worse since, with a young Worcestershire doing well against him. Johnson remains Australia’s only genuine strike bowler, however, and with Ricky Ponting’s side 1-0 down in this series, the temptation will be to give Johnson one chance to prove himself. England expect Andrew Flintoff to be fit, which will mean Ian Bell for Kevin Pietersen is their only change. Steve Harmison for Graeme Onions would be the more attacking option, but coach Andy Flower appears unconvinced by their arguments in favour of the mercurial pace bowler
Likely teams
England: Strauss (capt), Cook, Bopara, Bell, Collingwood, Prior (wkt), Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Onions.
Australia: Hughes, Katich, Ponting (capt), Hussey, Clarke, North, Haddin (wkt), Johnson, Hauritz, Siddle, Hilfenhaus.
Umpires: Billy DD
Weather watch
Thursday: Light rain shower.
Friday: Consistent rain showers from midday.
Saturday: Light rain shower.
Quotes;
Michael Clarke:
“We play our best cricket when the chips are down, we are 1-0 down and we’ll take the positives out of that. We know where we let ourselves down over the past two Tests and we know the areas we want to improve. I’m certain if we play our best cricket we will win this Test.”
Ian Bell:
“I can’t go out and play like Kev, I’ve just got to go out there and think about how I want to score my runs, and make sure we get a good first-innings score. I know that my record against Australia is the weakest out of all the countries I have played, and that’s up to me now to turn around.”
Jason Gillespie:
“I’ve been a strong supporter of [Mitchell] Johnson and I’d like him to get one more opportunity. He’s come under some heavy criticism and we all know he hasn’t been performing. But Australia won’t want to drop him from go-to man to the team’s No. 4 choice in a couple of matches. He’s got a good record over the past couple of years. Give him another chance.”
Racing Diary’s Betting Preview:
No need for indepth betting analysis. The key thing here is the good old British weather which will have it’s say. I don’t think there will be enough play for a result and the match will end in a draw. There will be some entertainment for the crowd but there is little prospect of a result.
Back the Draw and your money should be safe!
Get the Latest Betting Prices for the Edgbaston Test.
