ENG vs AUS 4th Test, Ashes 2023: Age-old rivalry, deep down winning motivations all will move one step ahead as England & Australia are all set to face each other in the fourth Test of the crucial Ashes 2023 series. After failing to win the first two Tests, England took a U-turn & beat Australia to level the series by 2-1. The action will now move to Old Trafford, Manchester where England will aim to level the series. While Australia would aim to get an upper hand over the hosts & clinch the series by winning the fourth Test. Which team would actually display a spell-bounding performance & move forward towards the gleaming Ashes 2023 Trophy is what will be known on the field of Old Trafford, Manchester.
ENG vs AUS 4th Test: Team Previews
England Preview
The ‘Bazball Team’ failed to replicate the kind of performances they are known for in the first two Tests of the Ashes Series. However, they didn’t lose hope & displayed a sheer fightback to win the Headingley Test & save the Series. Ben Stokes’s aggressive knock & Harry Brook’s much-needed 75 runs knock helped the Three Lions to chase the target of 251 runs within 50 overs & register a gleaming win in the third Ashes Test. The inclusion of Mark Wood & Chris Woakes proved to be the right decision for England as the duo had not only returned with results with the ball but also contributed in the chase by amassing vital runs to seal a win for England.
They would aim to continue their good run in the much-important fourth Test. But there are few injury concerns for England with Ollie Robinson ruled out of the fourth Test due to an injury sustained in the third Test. However, there are positives too for England with James Anderson getting a nod for the fourth Test. Ben Stokes & CO would aim to click in unison & produce a spectacular performance to clinch victory in the important Ashes 2023 Test. If they failed to do so then the visitors will get successful in retaining the Ashes Trophy. A lot is at stake for England & they would not let things go from their hands.
Australia Preview
After winning the gleaming WTC 2023 Final, Australia carried their blistering form in the Ashes 2023. They managed to drag a spectacular win in the first two Tests & get an upper hand over England. However, they would blame themselves for not being able to hold their nerves & defend a target of 251 in the third Test. But still with a lead in the series 2-1, a draw or a win in the fourth Test will help them to retain the Ashes Trophy.
Australia looks like a settled squad & is blooming with confidence after a gleaming win over India in WTC 2023 Finals. Coming to the team, Australia has a good batting lineup comprising some greats in the face of Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, and Cameron Green. The return of Marsh is a big positive for them as he registered a century on his Test return & removed Australia from a dire situation in the first innings. But the team would expect a better performance from their bowling unit as they failed to defend the target of 250 runs & handed a life-saving win to the hosts. The out-forn opener David Warner & Labuschagne should try & get their mojo back in the fourth Test. While the team will welcome Josh Hazlewood in place of Scott Boland in Trafford’s Test.
Match Details
Date and Time: July 19, 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Sony Liv App
Pitch Report
The Old Trafford Pitch is equally beneficial for both batters & bowlers. It is a typical English Condition pitch where the bowlers will enjoy assistance in the initial overs. And as the match progresses & pitch settles down it will be batters who will have the upper hand as they could play strokes easily. The game will be equally balanced between batters & bowlers at the Old Trafford pitch.
ENG vs AUS 4th Test: Predicted Playing XI
England:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Moeen Ali, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jonny Bairstow (wk), Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
Australia:
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Todd Murphy, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc.
ENG vs AUS 4th Test: Players to Watch Out:
Ben Stokes:
England’s Captain, Ben Stokes is surely a player to watch for in the fourth Ashes Test. He has returned with scores of 155 & 80 in the last two Tests & would aim to continue with his heroics in the fourth Test as well.
Harry Brook:
The prolific batter has proved his prowess & helped his team to register a gleaming win by playing a blistering knock of 75 runs in the Headingley Test. He would be the go-to man for England in the upcoming Trafford Test.
Australia
Usman Khawaja:
The opener batter has been in brilliant form in the Ashes 2023 so far. He returned with a score of 141 runs in the first Test & helped Australia register a glorious triumph. He has performed consistently in the Ashes 2023 series & would be their biggest bet in the fourth Test in the picture.
Mitchell Marsh:
The prolific player has marked his presence in the third Test by scoring a gleaming Century. In addition to it, he managed to scalp two wickets & helped Australia to come close to a victory. He would be Australia’s other gem in the Trafford Test
ENG vs AUS 4th Test Prediction
Two evenly poised teams will lock horns at the Old Trafford Test & would aim to get glory for their country by winning the much anticipated third Test. Looking at the current form & performances in the ongoing series, Australia looks like favorite to win this fixture & retain the prestigious Ashes Trophy. But England is never a side to be underestimated, if they manage to draw a win in the fourth Test then they will be able to level the series & the action will then shift to the fifth Test. Which team will be able to nail it? Share with us your thoughts on it!
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