England will make a trio of changes for the third Ashes Test – a must win for the 0-2 hosts – but an Australian skipping training on the day before the clash at Headingley begins has sparked plenty of rumours.
England seamers Jimmy Anderson and Josh Tongue will be rested for Chris Woakes and Mark wood, while an injury to batter Ollie Pope will see spinner Moeen Ali recalled.
While Australia has been revealing its team for each match only at the toss, one change has been confirmed so far – Todd Murphy will replace injured Nathan Lyon. Australian captain Pat Cummins also hinted Wednesday that Josh Hazlewood – who played the first two Tests – could also be rested due to his workload and injury history (Achilles and side strains).
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While none of Australia’s bowlers rolled their arms over on Tuesday (local time), it was Wednesday’s final training session that set tongues wagging.
Cameron Green did not train, leading to speculation he could be replaced – likely a recall after four years out for Mitch Marsh.
Green bowled eight overs in the first Test before 22 in the second, with many of those being bouncers. His increased workload could see him earn a rest, while his batting numbers at Lord’s were also slightly underwhelming.
Green scored 38 and 28 in the first Test, but had just a duck and 18 in the second clash.
Marsh last represented Australia in 2019 during the Ashes, but the 32-cap veteran has remained in the selection picture ever since and could finally get his chance.
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Speaking of Hazlewood’s previous injury woes, Cummins hinted he could be set for a rest.
“He would be the obvious one you’d be a bit more careful of,” Cummins said.
“The tour so far for him has gone as well as he could have hoped – no injuries, but he is kind of in uncharted territory for the last year or two. There will be some conversation around that.
“He bowled (about) 25 and 35 (overs in the first two matches) which isn’t extreme numbers, but again you weigh up this game versus the last two … you don’t want to put anyone in higher risk than you’d like knowing that there’s a couple of fresh guys on the bench that can come straight in.”
Scott Boland is most likely to replace him, though Michael Neser is in the picture.
“We’d have to have a look at the wicket but think Scotty would be the obvious one (to replace Hazlewood), yeah,” Cummins said.
“I think even between innings (in the first Test) he made some adjustments. With Scotty we have such high standards of him because of how well he bowled. You saw in that little stretch where conditions were in our favour how damaging he could be. Think you could argue we haven’t got the best of conditions this tour so far. We are super confident with either Scotty or Nes that’d they do a super job.”
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Smith preparing to play 100th Test | 00:38
SMITH ON VERGE OF HISTORY
When Australia’s Steve Smith last played a Test match at Headingley he was just one red-ball cap into his celebrated career and thought of mainly as a leg-spinner.
But when Smith takes the field at Yorkshire’s headquarters on Thursday for the third match of the Ashes series he will be winning his 100th cap as arguably the outstanding batsman of his generation.
Smith’s technique, which arguably features more moving parts than a Swiss watch and a series of flamboyant leaves, is not something to be found in any coaching manual.
And while many a batsman has been obsessive about their kit, few have gone to the lengths of Smith, who puts tape over his boots so as not to be distracted by the sight of his laces.
Yet, importantly, at the moment of impact he is still and usually in an orthodox position.
“I look back at the footage and say ‘what was I doing in that moment?’” he said. “It’s good I don’t know what I’m doing when I’m out there. I’m just letting my natural instincts take over.”
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Smith also opened up on the criticism he has regularly faced through his career – especially from England fans in the wake of sandpaper-gate.
That meant the sound of the Lord’s crowd turning on Australia on Sunday following the disputed stumping of Jonny Bairstow was nothing new to Smith.
“I’m used to it when I go around this country,” he explained. “I said to the boys at one stage ‘welcome to my life’.”
Smith missed the 2019 Ashes Test at Headingley, where England enjoyed a thrilling one-wicket win thanks to Ben Stokes’s astonishing unbeaten hundred, after being concussed by a bouncer from Jofra Archer at Lord’s.
That series ended as a draw, with Australia still searching for a first Ashes campaign win in England since 2001.
“It is something that has been on my bucket list, to win an Ashes series in England,” said Smith. “What a way to top it off, if I could do it in my 100th game, it would be special for sure.”
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VB JOIN FIGHT AGAINST THE POMS
CUB has a special gift for England’s cricketers ahead of the third Test.
In response to England’s cries of foul play during the second Test, a limited edition ‘England Bitter’ has been brewed alongside the iconic Victoria Bitter.
According to the Daily Telegraph, slabs of England Bitter were loaded onto a plane on Wednesday and were on their way to Headingley.
Accompanying the beers was the note: “You can get it not protecting your stumps, you can get it ignoring the umps.”
VB’s iconic jingle will also sound a little different.
“We know the English are bitter about the Lord’s Test, but when they’re feeling less
bitter we’ve got a beer to shout them … our fresh new England Bitter,’’ VB marketing manager Marc Lord said.
“England Bitter has got their name on it and we’re sending a few slabs to the English
Cricket team to enjoy once they’ve cooled off.”
