ENG vs AUS Match Preview

England has named an unchanged 14-member team for the 4th Test. There were calls to replace Johnny Bairstow, who has had a tough time behind the stumps. He has missed as many as 8 chances behind the stumps in the 3 matches played so far, and barring the half-century in the first innings of the first Test, he has been unable to get going. However, the selectors have backed him and will expect him to get back to form.

The same can be said about openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, who haven’t been too consistent. In such a scenario, the middle-order batsmen, Harry Brook, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes will play an important role. Talking about the bowling, Ollie Robinson, who picked up a niggle at Leeds, is likely to make way for James Anderson.

However, all eyes will be on Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, who picked up a total of 13 wickets in the last match. Stuart Broad is in good form too and is the top wicket-taker for England with 16 wickets.

England's batters will be aggressive (Bazball and all!) and have shown that they are not afraid of taking on the Australian bowlers. The match is really going to be won by their bowlers, though, and that is why we feel they actually need some grass on the pitch.

David Warner has struggled to perform throughout the season but we expect him to retain his place and open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja. Cameron Green will push for a place but whether he and Marsh can both be accomodated into the playing eleven remains to be seen. Khawaja is in prime form and will hold the key for the visitors.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will play an important role in the middle order alongside Travis Head, while Mitchell Marsh, who scored a century in the last match, will keep his spot in the playing eleven.

Labuschagne has struggled and Smith has been kept a bit quiet (by his standards). Can we see the best of these two in this match? We would not bet on it!

Mitchell Starc picked up a 5- wicket haul in the second innings of the last match and will once again feature in the pace attack alongside Pat Cummins. However, we expect Scott Boland, who hasn’t had the best of times in the middle, to be dropped and replaced by Josh Hazlewood, provided that the latter is fit.

Todd Murphy will lead the spin attack alongside Mitchell Marsh. 

Australia has more selection concerns than England and needs to make some tough calls. David Warner's replacement is Travis Head, already in the best form of his life, and having two quality all-rounders will give them more balance. 

Weather Report

There is a forecast for rain throughout the next week, which may lead to delays. 

Pitch Report

The pitch at Old Trafford is good to bat on as it has a good amount of pace and bounce on offer. The team batting first will look to get close to 400 runs here. There is some grass on the surface and the ball skids onto the bat. Seam bowlers who are disciplined with their line and length will be rewarded.

Notable stats

Harry Brook: Taking Test Cricket By Storm

Harry Brook has scored 1028 runs in 10 Test matches at an average of 64.25. His knocks include 4 centuries and 5 half-centuries.

Team News

There are no updates regarding injuries from either side. 

 

ENG vs AUS Probable 11

ENG Playing 11

  • Zak Crawley
  • Ben Duckett
  • Harry Brook
  • Joe Root
  • Johnny Bairstow (Wk)
  • Ben Stokes (C)
  • Moeen Ali
  • Chris Woakes
  • Mark Wood
  • James Anderson
  • Stuart Broad

AUS Playing 11

  • David Warner
  • Usman Khawaja
  • Marnus Labuschagne
  • Steve Smith
  • Alex Carey (Wk)
  • Mitchell Marsh
  • Pat Cummins (C)
  • Todd Murphy
  • Mitchell Starc
  • Josh Hazlewood
  • Travis Head
This is not the official playing 11 for the match. This is a prediction of the expected playing 11 for each team based on the writers analysis.

Dream11 Prediction

We are backing England to win here. They have competed well against Australia and while there are a few weak spots, the Aussies are not invulnerable either. The odds currently available on England makes this worth the risk. 

 

Top Picks

Mark Wood: Wood has an excellent record in Test cricket where he has picked up 97 wickets in 29 matches. He picked up 7 wickets in the last match and also scored a total of 40 runs in 2 innings.

Steve Smith: Steve Smith has a good record at the Old Trafford Stadium, where he has scored 401 runs in 2 Test matches. His knocks include 2 half-centuries and a double-hundred, and we expect him to play another good inning here.

Usman Khawaja: Usman Khawaja is the leading run-scorer of the series so far, and has scored 356 runs at an average of 59.33. 

 

ENG vs AUS Dream11 Team 1

Keeper: J Bairstow, A Carey

Batters: J Root, S Smith (C), U Khawaja

All-rounders: B Stokes, C Woakes, M Marsh (VC)

Bowlers: P Cummins, M Starc, M Wood

ENG vs AUS Dream11 Prediction - OCB Team Prediction