Rich Evans previews the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford, where a bloody, potentially series-defining heavyweight duel between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith will reignite.
You don’t need a metal detector to unearth a golden quote from Justin Langer, and he didn’t disappoint ahead of the fourth Ashes Test in Manchester, as Australia’s floored fighters attempt to snatch the one victory they need to retain the urn.
“Think about Muhammad Ali getting his bike stolen (as a child),” he said. “He got his bike stolen and that was the fire he needed to become the greatest boxer of all time. We felt a bit like we got the Ashes stolen the other day. Now we’ve got to work out what we’re going to do – and use that as fire.
“The great players and great teams – in business and life – they have their ups and downs but they always fight back from it. You wouldn’t see one champion player, one champion team, one champion business that hasn’t done that.”
Stuart Broad turned up the heat yesterday, insisting that young quick Archer is gunning for Smith’s wicket: “I know when Steve Smith walks to the crease, Jofra will be walking to [captain] Joe Root saying: ‘Give me that ball,” he told BBC Sport. “I’m going to be a very interested viewer from mid-on because they’re two world-class players going against each other, with a little bit of verbal niggle going around as well.”
It takes a lot to floor Smith, and even more to keep him down. Langer is optimistic that his premier batsman, who has just replaced Virat Kohli at the top spot on the ICC Test batting rankings, will return with aplomb: “He works the game out better than anyone I’ve ever met in my life … If anyone’s going to get over any little demons it’ll be Steven.”
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 3, 2019
Mitchell Starc, who claimed seven wickets against Derbyshire, has replaced fellow speedster James Pattinson in Australia’s 12-man squad, but it remains to be seen whether he can displace incumbents Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
While Cummins’ fatigue level will be considered, the age and form of Peter Siddle – five wickets at 36.40 – makes him the most vulnerable. Woakes, Broad and Cummins are the only front-line pacemen who have played all three Tests, but it would be a big call for the Aussies to rest the series’ top wicket-taker, with 17 scalps at 18.52. Hazelwood also averages 18 – from two games – and looks set to play.
Think these changes will do it for Australia? #Asheshttps://t.co/gmI5z6ApP7
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 3, 2019
England have resisted the opportunity to keep faith with a winning XI, with Somerset’s Craig Overton replacing Woakes. It’s been unclear whether the Warwickshire man’s dearth of overs is down to body management or his skipper simply preferring other options in tight situations or both. Sam Curran may feel despondent that he wasn’t next in line, with the England management uncertain of the precise role the enterprising all-rounder can occupy.
Joe Denly and Jason Roy will also trade places, with the Kent man joining Rory Burns at the top with the Surrey aggressor coming in at four. A logical re-jig, perhaps, but not one that feels like a long-term solution, and an odd reward for Denly’s vital half-century in England’s second innings at Headingley,
We’ll turn our attention to the top batsman markets instead where the traders on the Betfair Sportsbook have boosted the irrepressible Ben Stokes from 4/1 to 5/1 to top-score for England in the first innings.
While England’s Headingley saviour is inevitably a shorter price in this market than he was at the start of the series, the 5/1 still offers value based on how many times he has delivered in this market in recent years.
