5 talking points from the 3rd Ashes Test
This Ashes series has been swinging from one end to the other like a pendulum. England won one, when no one gave them a chance and won it well. Australia then pulled one back and thumped England when the momentum was going the other way.England then came back from looking down and out and losing by more than 400 runs to beat Australia again. Such have been the times that if you are an English fan, you will dread the fourth Test, because the last three times prior to this when England won a Test, they lost the next one. But, they have incentive too, because if they can break the pattern, and win the next, the Urn and the bragging rights are theirs.They certainly have the team to do it. England has problems and so does Australia. But the pitch in Edgbaston was one hell of a leveller, aiding the good batsman, like Ian Bell proved with value for shots and class. It aided the good bowlers, like Steven Finn and Mitchell Johnson with the ball moving right through and troubling the batsman.In many ways, it was an excellent Test match pitch and it was a shame the match ended within three days, more so because of the lack of application from the batsmen than any unplayable demons in the pitch. This is also a good time to look at the five talking points from this game.
#5 Adam Lyth\'s place in the side
Lyth has had three games but he hasn’t showed anything that could make England feel they can stick to him for some more time. He looks tentative and nervous and has been primarily responsible for putting the England middle order under pressure each time.
In this Test too, Lyth has had scores of 10 and 12 and that doesn’t augur well. England don’t have too many options either. Ballance has reportedly found some form playing for Yorkshire and has more experience than Lyth facing the Australian fast bowlers but one wonders if England would take the drastic decision of replacing the latter with the former.
England cannot afford to lose a wicket early each time they walk in. Jonny Bairstow got a brute of a bouncer in the only innings he got and will hold on to his place at No.5. Yet, the exact position that he will walk in next time isn’t a surety. Lyth averages 22.2 in 10 innings which for an opener is just not impressive enough. England have much to think about there, given their middle order finally seems to have a good feel about it!