England is trying to win the Ashes for the first time since 2015, but they are now down 2-1 with two Tests to play against Australia.
For the upcoming fourth Test against Australia, England has stuck with wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow and included him in a 14-man squad. With eight opportunities lost over the first three Tests, Bairstow has had a tough series behind the wickets. Some have suggested that Ben Foakes of Surrey replace Bairstow, but captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum are sticking by their man. After keeping their Ashes ambitions alive with a three-wicket victory in the third Test at Leeds on Sunday, England has picked the same team to play in Manchester on Wednesday.
With only two Tests remaining, the home team is behind 2-1, trying to win the Ashes for the first time since 2015.
Stokes has called Foakes the best wicketkeeper in the world, but the 30-year-old was left out of the starting lineup at the beginning of the season after Bairstow returned from a broken leg sustained in a bizarre golfing accident.
Since coming back from three left leg fractures, ligament damage, and a dislocated ankle, Bairstow’s mobility has not looked particularly sharp.
With four thrilling hundreds in 2022, he led England to their first Test season win since the ‘Baseball’ era.
However, Bairstow has only shown his batting prowess once in this Ashes series, when he scored 78 on the first day.
Although back spasms relegated him to the sidelines in the previous game, Ollie Robinson has returned to the squad.
The medical staff is keeping an eye on Robinson, but he is the odds-on favorite to make way for England’s record Test wicket-taker James Anderson’s return to his Lancashire home ground.
Anderson was benched for the third Test because of his lackluster performance in the previous two matches, fueling speculation that the 40-year-old is losing his edge.
Meanwhile, Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald says he’s unable to decide which players to start in the fourth Test because of Mitch Marsh.
Marsh, who came in for the injured Cameron Green at Headingley, smashed a magnificent century.
Now that Green is healthy again, McDonald may need to find a role for both of his all-star players.
After a lousy performance in the third Test, Marsh and Green might replace Warner at the opening, and Scott Boland could be demoted to make room for them.
There are many factors and options to weigh. With Mitch Marsh joining the team, the team’s current composition, and the strengths and weaknesses of each player must be taken into account, as stated by McDonald.
He’s made a convincing argument. In my opinion, he had a great game today. The way he stacks up versus England is very promising.
To paraphrase, “I thought he was impressive with the ball as well, and he’s done that before in England.”
