WOOD IS THE MAN TO REPLACE JIMMY FOR THIS CRUCIAL TEST
IT’s been an incredible series so far which has swung one way and then another. What’s been amazing is that once a side has been down in a Test match, they have not been able to change the momentum. That’s in contrast to the way the series has yo-yoed so dramatically.
This has been a very odd but exhilarating series to watch. I’d rather it be this attacking, exciting cricket than a dour run-fest. It’s good for the game but a signal to England that they can’t just expect to turn up at Trent Bridge assuming the momentum will be with them.
This win has also come at a big cost for England. They have lost Jimmy Anderson, their king of swing, who is the leader of their attack and takes his wickets at 19 apiece at Trent Bridge. When Anderson has performed in this series, at Cardiff and here at Edgbaston, England have won. He’s vital to England’s cause.
It will be a difficult one for England’s selectors — who did a brilliant job in this Test with the changes they made — because there is no like-for-like replacement. I’d like someone with experience of Ashes cricket.
Mark Wood hasn’t let anyone down and he has an excellent record there for Durham. If he’s fully fit I’d go with him. This series is only going to get more intense and England need someone who can cope with that.
On the plus side, England do have Stuart Broad and Steven Finn in superb form and more than capable of leading the attack. Finn has been magnificent here and Broad has been excellent all series, despite not necessarily getting the praise he has warranted.
Broad is going to Trent Bridge looking to become the fifth Englishman to take 300 Test wickets. That’s a phenomenal achievement and he’s a guy with a proven track record of delivering under pressure.
Adam Lyth’s form is a serious concern. His trigger movements look laboured and he seems to be getting beaten for pace as a result. His shot in the first innings wasn’t good enough for an opener at this level and there’s no doubt his spot is in jeopardy.
The one thing in his favour is that there is no other opener out there screaming out for inclusion. Alex Hales is an option on his home ground but he’s not scored a lot of runs there in the championship and I wouldn’t go back to the likes of Michael Carberry or Nick Compton. Lyth got a Test hundred three Tests ago so I might be inclined to give him one more go.
England are not the only ones with questions on the batting front. Australia’s middle order is now a real problem.
Their top three are in some sort of form but their skipper Michael Clarke and Adam Voges at five look all at sea. They may well make changes too.
But whatever the make-up of the teams, if the first three Tests are anything to go by, you can expect another spectacular Test at Trent Bridge. This is an extraordinary, roller-coaster series, and I for one am loving it.