The Ashes, England vs Australia, 4th Test, Headingley, Live Streaming, ENG v AUS
After the weather had a big say in the draw at Edgbaston, England remain 1-0 up in the Ashes series as the teams go to Headingley, Leeds for the 4th test match which starts on Friday.
First some team news, keep an eye on CricketPulse in the run up to the match, at the time of writing Brett Lee is a possibility for Australia and once again there will be speculation about Andrew Flintoff’s participation for England. If Flintoff is fit, I’d expect England to be unchanged, if Freddie can’t make it, Steve Harmison is the likely replacement. Australia may look to shake up their bowling attack with Peter Siddle’s place potentially up for grabs to Lee or even Stuart Clark. Michael Clarke is reportedly battling with a stomach strain.
The Venue: Headingley, Leeds
England were trounced by the Proteas on their last visit to Leeds just over 12 months ago. Graeme Smith put England in and the decision paid dividends as England lasted just 53 overs, scoring 203 in the process. A mammoth reply of 522 set up a 10 wicket win for South Africa.
Australia’s last visit here came back in 2001 and they were beaten by 6 wickets as Mark Butcher cracked 173 as England successfully chased 315 in the 4th innings. If you go back a bit further in Headingley Ashes history to 1981 you will find one of the most amazing turnarounds in test match cricket. England, following on 227 runs behind, emerged victorious by 18 runs. Those were the days of Ian Botham and Bob Willis, great days they were.
Of the 8 test matches played here in the last 10 years, England have won 5 and lost 3 and note there has not been one single draw. The minimum winning margin in that decade was the 6 wicket win in Mark Butcher’s test match.
I’ve long been of the opinion that the draw starts way to short in test matches, the glut of ODI’s and now T20’s in the modern game has resulted in players scoring quickly in the 5 day format and the draw is worth taking on. The problem with that theory in England is you are not only taking on one of the teams but also the weather.
Verdict:
If the weather does not destroy the test match, I think we can get a result. I thought the same at Edgbaston and the chances are that even 4 full days would have produced a winner. Unfortunately the rain destroyed nearly all day 1 and all of day 3 and the draw was always likely.
I’ll keep an eye on the forecast and if it looks like the weather will behave, I’m going to side with the Aussies to square the series and set up a decider.
After Leeds the test series concludes at The Oval. Remember to join us for previews of the all the matches on CricBytes.
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