England vs Australia 3rd Test Preview

The first two Tests of the 2023 Ashes between England and Australia have provided some heart-stopping entertainment, with Pat Cummins’ side edging the hosts at Edgbaston and Lord’s to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Following the fiery end to the Lord’s Test and the fallout that ensued revolving the Bairstow-Carey dismissal, the stakes have been raised for the third Test. The visitors will be hoping to seal their first Test series win in England since 2001 and take an unassailable 3-0 lead, while Ben Stokes’ side have the uphill task of looking to become just the second side since Don Bradman’s Australia in 1936-37 to come back from 2-0 down to win an Ashes series.

Players to watch out for

Steve Smith

Steve Smith was the difference between the two sides at Lord’s, with the number four’s splendid first innings century in treacherous conditions powering Australia to a commanding total of 416. After missing the last Headingley Test and Stokes’ heroics in 2019 due to a concussion, Smith will be hoping to turn the visitor’s fortunes at the ground around in what will be his landmark 100^th Test for the country.

Mark Wood

Mark Wood will make his first appearance of the series at Headingley, giving England some much-needed firepower with the ball in the must-win game in Leeds. Wood was the pick of the English bowlers in Australia 18 months ago, and his searing pace will add an extra dimension to the hosts’ bowling attack, giving them a more potent weapon to use if they turn to their short-ball strategy.

Team News

England have confirmed three changes to their side for the Headingley Test, with Moeen Ali returning to the side after missing out at Lord’s, while Mark Wood and Chris Woakes replace James Anderson and Josh Tongue to freshen up the pace attack.

Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes will strengthen England’s lower-order at Nos. 7 and 8, while Harry Brook has been promoted to number three to replace Ollie Pope, who has been ruled out of the rest of the summer with a dislocated shoulder.

Australia, meanwhile, will rue the absence of Nathan Lyon, who will miss the remaining three Tests after sustaining a calf injury in the field at Lord’s. Todd Murphy will take Lyon’s place in the side as the primary off-spinner, with the 22-year-old keen to build on the impressive start to his Test career in India earlier this year.

With the short turnaround between the two Tests, Australia will also continue their rotation policy for their pacers, with Scott Boland expected to replace Josh Hazlewood at Headingley.

Probable XI’s

England: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood

Australia: Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland.