Published: Jul 29, 2015, 02:45 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 30, 2015, 08:18 AM (IST)
After heaps of debates regarding who will go on the top in the third Ashes Test, Australia and England are a couple of hours away from locking horns at Edgbaston. After the 405-run humiliating loss in the second game at Lord’s, England will be looking to fight back, henceforth proving the pundits wrong. Former cricketer Sir Ian Botham was one of the very few experts who have backed the home team to perform well against the confident Australians. LIVE BLOG: England vs Australia, The Ashes 2015, 3rd Test at Edgbaston, Day 1, ENG 133/3 in 29 overs
England might see themselves in trouble if their quickest seamer at the moment Mark Wood fails to recover from the ankle injury, that he sustained during the second match, and miss out the crucial third game at Birmingham. On the other hand, while there have been doubts about Australian open Chris Rogers’ inclusion in the playing XI of the third match, pacer Micthell Starc has confirmed that the batsman has passed fit for the Edgbaston Test. LIVE SCORECARD: England vs Australia, The Ashes 2015, 3rd Test
According to a report from BBC, Australia chairman of selectors Rod Marsh, coach Darren Lehmann and team doctor Peter Brukner all watched Rogers in the nets at Edgbaston, although the Victoria opener was not given any short-pitched deliveries during the practice sessions. Shaun Marsh is in the row, if Rogers goes on to miss the match.
Meanwhile, after replacing Gary Ballance with the 25-year old Jonathan Bairstow, shooting Ian Bell to number three, Joe Root to No. 4 , England will be eager to see if the changes make any impact or not. READ: Chris Rogers feared his career was over following dizziness issue in 2nd Ashes 2015 Test at Lord’s
