Aussies take on England in Edgbaston, starting today.
With Rogers and Warner providing a brisk start at Lords, Aussies could find further form in Smith. With Nevill taking the glove work, the batting has further strengthened. The one missing it out has been Clarke and England has been getting the better of him in both the Tests. This could be a cause of worry for Clarke and the Team Management.
While it is huge welcome to see Mitchell Marsh into the Test reckoning, he needs to perform with the ball as an all round replacement for Watson. By roping in Nevill and Marsh, Aussies have injected youth into the team XI and this is a good development.
We had indicated at the beginning of the series that apart from Root and Cook, England is not capable of threatening Aussies and this was proved in the 2nd Test match.
Bairstow is far better player than Ballance and his role at No.5 is really important.Bell is very fortunate to have his place in the XI and this Test match will be a make or break in his Test career. Lyth, since his debut, has not shown to be a potential worthy of playing in this important series and this match will require an important career breaking knock to retain his place. England has stacked itself with batsmen and if the bowlers fail again, it is bye-bye Ashes for Englishmen.
The first two Tests were played on surfaces lacking in pace and bounce. The key factor at Edgbaston will be the pitch which had so much grass on the pitch. but the likelihood is that cover will be shaved off before play. But the ground staff personnel have used hot lamps that is used for cultivation of cannabis. The toss may prove crucial - England won the toss and the match in Cardiff and Aussies won the toss and the match at Lords.
My Playing XI:
Australia: Warner, Rogers, Smith, Clarke, Voges, Marsh, Nevil, Starc, Johnson, Hazlewood, Lyon
England: Cook, Lyth, Bell, Root, Bairtsow, Stokes, Butler, Moeen Ali, Wood, Broad, Anderson
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