The Ashes- England vs Australia 4th Test Match in a 5 Match Test Series 2023 Preview

*ENGLAND VS AUSTRALIA- THE ASHES 4th TEST MATCH IN A TEST SERIES OF 5 TEST MATCHES 2023 PREVIEW*

*THE BUILD UP:*

Ashes Series, uff. The ups and downs, the thrills, the energy, the spine tingling moments, the comebacks- it has it all. And we witnessed a comeback from the Three Lions, the hosts last game where they thumped Australia at Leeds to keep the series alive and to make sure that fans keep scratching their heads as we move towards the latter part of the series. 

England rocketed to a high level of elevation with the return of Wood and Woakes to the XI with both being at their brutal best, chipping in with handy cameos and working their magic out with the bowl in hand. The two operated smartly with the former rattling the Aussies with his pace whereas the latter stuck to his accuracy and got England the key Aussie breakthroughs. As we mark the return of Ashes, this time at Manchester, with England having the winning momentum, things could turn wild and a win for the hosts could light this cracker of a rivalry up again. 

The Aussies on the other hand, would love to give it their all in order to avoid a series decider with the hollies rallying their men at the top of the voices. The men from downunder are expected to retain Warner despite the southpaw becoming Broad’s bunny time and again. However, the spot of Murphy still remains a doubt after the offie (a replacement to Nathan Lyon) was taken to the cleaners, for alot of runs specially by Ben Stokes who took a special liking for him in the third test match. One aspect of this ground that could work for Murphy is how the pitch tends to detoriate here like a typical subcontinent wicket. He had his fair share of experience in India and he could utilise it in order to push Australia to a win with his heroics in the 3rd or the 4th innings. 

Whatever be the result of this test, entertainment is guaranteed with both outfits, extremely competitive fighting like champions for the urn which is at stake. Australia still hold the edge with a superior side that’s done well so far but with England’s new fighting approach at hand and their “never say never” attitude, we can never quite be sure. 

*ENG PROBABLE XI:*

The Ben Stokes led side have already announced their XI and it marks the return of the veteran Jimmy Anderson. 

Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Johnny Bairstow(Wk), Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Stuard Broad, Jimmy Anderson 

Moeen Ali featured at 3 for England last test but could not make a significant impact. It was brave of him to take up a more difficult role in order to be a fruitful member of the side. I feel it’s a good move specially given how he thrives when attack is the only form of defence. It’s a little risky to expose the newbie Brook to 3, which is a challenging position for any new batter despite the kind of start that Brook has had. If Ali clicks even once in three times, England would feel their risk has paid off. They would hope this one knock comes in this test match. 

Jimmy has returned to the setup at his home ground where he boasts of an average of 22. He looked off colour in the first two tests and was rightfully dropped for the third. A comeback on a ground where he has grownup playing could be an energising one and once he starts bowling from his own end, we’d be eyeing a panic attack from the Aussies who recently lost one. I suppose Ben is going to go after Warner again with Broad bowling in tandem with Anderson, two legends of the game and if the pitch offers fair amount of assistance, count on them. 

Excited to watch Mark Wood vs Labuschagne. The latter and the replica of Smith is yet to dominate this Ashes series and the presence of the speedster Wood doesn’t make his job any easier. The one who produces rockets, was playing a test after Dec 2022 yet looked like a bullet coming right out of a barrel- ready to pounce on its opponents. If he maintains his fitness and comes just as hard, this menace could trouble the Aussies again and ensure the greats of the game fall to the supremacy of Wood. 

Joe Root has slammed 798 runs in nine Tests at Old Trafford at an average of 60.76. Only Denis Compton has scored more at this venue. The modern day genius was at his sublime best in the first test and with how kind this venue has been to him, we can expect a blockbuster performance once again. 

*AUS PROBABLE XI:*

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh/Cameron Green, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood 

The mediocrity of Boland so far in this Ashes highlights his struggles on decks which are flatter in nature. We could see a return of Hazlewood to the table who can make use of the bounce that Manchester offers. 

Steve Smith has amassed 401 runs in four innings in Manchester at a staggering average of 100.25. His highest score at the venue is 211, which came in September 2019.
Overall, he has hammered a solitary ton and a couple of fifties in Manchester. He has hammered the second-highest runs by an Australian here in Tests. Only Allan Border (416) has scored more runs. The modern day don had smacked a double century here back in 2019 in the same test where Australia had retained the Ashes. Bank on him to be in his groove again as Australia search for another Ashes retention. 

Lots of discussions around Warner and his place in the XI and I personally wouldn’t want to see him feature in this Ashes series again with Marsh coming in and showing to us the absolute depth of Australian cricket. Pat has backed the veteran and he will retain his spot. All he needs to do now is to survive the early Broady scare and play him out like he did in the initial part of this epic rivalry. Otherwise, an offering where he is swapped by Head for the openers role seems inevitable. 

*MY PREDICTIONS:*

*FOR ENG:*
Highest run getter- Zak Crawley/Harry Brook 

Highest wicket taker- Jimmy Anderson/Chris Woakes 

*FOR AUS:*
Highest run getter- Steve Smith/Travis Head 

Highest wicket taker- Pat Cummins/Mitchell Starc 

*FOR THIS GAME:*
England to win