SM
Yemen vs. Saudi Arabia: 7 hrs 43 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

The Ashes: Five talking points ahead of third Test at Headingley

:Headline: The Ashes: Five talking points ahead of third Test at Headingley: ID:368771: from db_amp
Jason Roy must pass a concussion test.

England and Australia go head to head again just four days after the nerve-racking draw at Lord's, with the tourists 1-0 up going into the third Ashes Test.

Here the PA news agency looks at the key areas of interest.

A star is withdrawn

Steve Smith has been ruled out with concussion (Mike Egerton/PA)

Twenty-two players will do battle in Leeds but many of them will be lucky if they command the same level of interest as one who has been restricted to a watching brief. In making 144, 142 and 92 in his first three innings of the series, Steve Smith has increasingly been seen as the difference between the sides – a theory that will now be tested. Marnus Labuschagne stepped up as his concussion substitute at Lord's, David Warner will want to emerge from his poor form as the senior batsman and Tim Paine has the chance to reassert himself with a captain's performance. How well they emerge from Smith's shadow could hold the key.

Archer at the double

Few Test debuts in recent times have created quite as much buzz as Jofra Archer's bow and the level of expectation around the Sussex paceman will go through the roof this week. England believe he is temperamentally suited to the spotlight, happier playing Fortnite in his hotel room than cranking up the hype machine, but he must also be managed well. Joe Root's captaincy could be crucial – how and when he is used – while well-travelled campaigners like Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes have been around long enough to offer a cricketing sounding board. Steer his talent properly and he could have another spectacular week.

Spotlight on Roy

Roy must pass a concussion test (Steven Paston/PA)

Before his name even makes the team sheet, Jason Roy must pass a concussion test after being hit on the helmet in training. If he does, that will just be the start of his job. He will take the crease with just 45 runs in five innings as a Test opener and a hungry pack of Australian bowlers eager to keep him down. Add to that head coach Trevor Bayliss' suggestion that he sees the Surrey man as better suited to the middle order and the pressure is surely building. In white-ball cricket, Roy frequently hits his way out of trouble...will he do the same this time?

Heading back to Headingley

The Ashes is back at Headingley for the first time since 2009 (Nigel French/PA)

After a decade away, Ashes cricket is back in Yorkshire and the ticket-buying public have responded by selling out the first four days. England's recent record at the famous old venue is not stellar, winning just three of their last nine Tests here – including an innings loss in Australia's last visit in 2009 – but with the new Emerald Stand in place and a local favourite, Root, captaining his country this could be a fresh start.

Don't play it again Sam?

Sam Curran has been restricted to a watching brief (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Sam Curran was kept on the sidelines for the first two matches and his only prospect of playing in Leeds appears to be if England decide Chris Woakes needs a rest. That might seem harsh on the talented all-rounder, who has proved a mature performer with bat in hand and offers a point of difference as a left-arm swing bowler. He was also man of the series against India last summer and must be wondering why he is kicking his heels. With eight wins in his first 10 Tests, England may soon decide they need their lucky charm again.

amp_article__368771 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-08-21 20:07:04:
html db last update - 2019-08-21 20:07:04 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .