Match details
Series/tournament name: The Ashes
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Date: 4 September , 2019
Time: 3:30 p.m. IST
Preview:
After a cracking game at Headingley, the euphoria has settled and England will look to continue their resurgence in the series. Australia, meanwhile, have a massive boost coming their way with Steve Smith fit and firing for the Old Trafford Test. With Marnus Labuschagne also sealing down his spot, they have dropped Usman Khawaja for this Test match. England will look to continue their momentum but will have their task cut out with Smith back in the setup.
Weather report:
It is expected to rain at Manchester on the first three days before it gives way to a cloudy and intermittently sunny weather on days four and five.
Pitch report:
The pitch is expected to assist the seamers and we could see the overhead conditions play a major role. It is unlikely that the Test will last all five days.
Injuries and replacements:
Usman Khawaja dropped, Steven Smith in
James Pattinson dropped, Mitchell Starc or Peter Siddle in
Probable Playing XI:
England:
England have made a batting order change with Jason Roy going down to the middle-order and Joe Denly coming at the top. They are unlikely to tinker with the playing XI.
Joe Denly, Rory Burns, Joe Root (c), Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach.
Australia
Australia have revealed
Match details
Series/tournament name: The Ashes
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Date: 4 September , 2019
Time: 3:30 p.m. IST
Preview:
After a cracking game at Headingley, the euphoria has settled and England will look to continue their resurgence in the series. Australia, meanwhile, have a massive boost coming their way with Steve Smith fit and firing for the Old Trafford Test. With Marnus Labuschagne also sealing down his spot, they have dropped Usman Khawaja for this Test match. England will look to continue their momentum but will have their task cut out with Smith back in the setup.
Weather report:
It is expected to rain at Manchester on the first three days before it gives way to a cloudy and intermittently sunny weather on days four and five.
Pitch report:
The pitch is expected to assist the seamers and we could see the overhead conditions play a major role. It is unlikely that the Test will last all five days.
Injuries and replacements:
Usman Khawaja dropped, Steven Smith in
James Pattinson dropped, Mitchell Starc or Peter Siddle in
Probable Playing XI:
England:
England have made a batting order change with Jason Roy going down to the middle-order and Joe Denly coming at the top. They are unlikely to tinker with the playing XI.
Joe Denly, Rory Burns, Joe Root (c), Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer, Jack Leach.
Australia
Australia have revealed their 12-man team with Usman Khawaja being dropped for Steven Smith. Marnus Labuschagne is set to bat at No. 3. Either Peter Siddle or Mitchell Starc will play in his place.
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine (c, wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins.
Top picks:
Wicket-keeper: Jonny Bairstow (9 credits)
Bairstow returned to form at Headingley and will be a big player for England this Test. The fact that Tim Paine and Matthew Wade are in poor form further aids Bairstow's inclusion in your fantasy XI. His counter-attacking approach paid rich dividends last Test and we can expect him to stick to that mantra.
Batsman: Steve Smith (11 credits)
Arguably, the World's best batsman makes a return to the side after his concussion issues. Expect him to come roaring back to form. He remains the highest run-scorer in the series despite being absent from one Test. That speaks volumes about his ability in the format.
All-rounder: Ben Stokes (11 credits)
A gun all-rounder, Ben Stokes has peaked at the right time for England. The all-rounder will be a crucial player for England at Manchester where conditions are expected to aid seam bowling. He is perhaps the most technically equipped England batsman and has time and again hauled the team out of trouble. He could don a big role with the ball too.
Bowler: Pat Cummins (9.5 credits)
While all the attention is on Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc's purported return, Pat Cummins remains an integral part of the attack and Australia's best Test bowler. A natural wicket-taker, Cummins should enjoy the conditions at Manchester. Expect him to make a big impact on the series here.
Captaincy options: Stuart Broad, Pat Cummins, Ben Stokes
Dream11 team:
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.
