The Ashes 2013: 1st Test, Day 4 - Five players to watch out for

The Stuart Broad controversy threatens to flavour the rest of the first Ashes Test match, and while that might not be so bad for the viewers, who will draw delight in a bit of heat and hostility between the arch-rivals, it may adversely affect Australia’s chances in this game.

They looked distracted by the entire affair in the last session and they must now strive to move beyond it so that they can make a fist of it come Day 4. England lead by a margin of 261 runs, which means, save a miraculous meltdown, Australia will be chasing a record total in the 4th innings.

Ian Bell and Stuart Broad have tested the patience of this Australian side with a frustrating 108-run partnership, and they will do their best to extent that given the fact that there is no shortage of time in this Test match.

Australia, on the other hand, need to get their act together to get the early dismissal and hope that that triggers a collapse. The bulk of the responsibility now will be on the Australian top-order that will  need to wither out a fiery opening hour of new ball swing bowling from the likes of James Anderson and Steven Finn.

The surface has deteriorated over the course of three days and Graeme Swann would have been on the edge of his seat watching Ashton Agar drop the ball into the rough. The opening two days of the game saw the fall of a total of 22 wickets whereas England battled hard to lose only four on the third day. If Australia put up a fight, we might be in for a brief but mouth watering last day’s play.

Here is a list of five players who can influence the state of the match on Day 4:

5. Ian Bell

Ian Bell

The right-handed middle order batsman has tempted the cricketing world for a long while now with his elegant shot making but has failed to be consistent. This might be his chance as he remains undefeated at the crease on the verge of what would be the first ton of this Test match.

Bell’s ton would be richly deserved as it came at a critical time for England and is potentially a match winning one. He will be hoping to wither out the first half-an-hour of play of Day 4 before he can show a little aggressive intent while playing alongside the tail.

Any lead in excess of 300 will be a daunting task for Australia and if Bell produces a rush of runs, it can put the game beyond their reach.