(Info4now, December 25, 2021)- It’s not a good script for England to have some climactic thrill in the AUS vs ENG 3rd Test. It was absolutely flat in the first two contests. Having no rising action in the set formula of a plot, only an intentional slow rise can be considered. In a game, it’s just different. So apart from that climax in the middle, England only need to have a good start and an immediate rising action to balance the script on the whole.
For Australia, it’s to maintain their run and to forget what they experienced against Rahane’s India exactly one year back. It’s here at MCG, India bounced back and thrashed Australia by eight wickets. In Ashes 2017-18, a champion Alistair Cook made a double century to deny Australia’s four consecutive wins. With Cummins back in the side, Australia must not look back to those Boxing Day games and will eye a series win here.
Preview: AUS vs ENG 3rd Test, Ashes 2021/22
England have no one on the bench to replace one of the openers. Jack Crawley, Johnny Bairstow and D. H. Lawrence all can bat in the middle. England prefer Crawley at the top. It’s a good decision to return Bairstow to his own position. Joe Root and Dawid Malan have created enough pressure upon the Aussie bowling line up, but fall short of a target. In a huge contest of a Test game, it’s very tough to have a going with no one making a hundred. So Root and Malan should concentrate on extending their so far fifties.
With a fair scale of gape between the second Test and the third one, Ben Stokes should be more fit and fine. Jos Buttler will keep the wicket as Johnny Bairstow replaces Ollie Pope as a regular batsman. Buttler and Bairstow have to play extremely well. Buttler was patient at Adelaide Oval facing 200+ balls. Bairstow was dropped due to his recent inconsistency. On his return, he must try to take his team out of the edge of a ditch.
We expected Jack Leach at Adelaide Oval in the preview of the second Test. It was a poor selection not to play him. So his return in place of Stuart Broad is a positive move on the part of the English camp. To add more speed to the attack Mark Wood returns in place of Chris Woakes. He can take the load off Robinson creating persistent pressure on Australian batsmen. With less swing at MCG, he must hit hard the fourth stump line.
Scott Boland to replace Jhye Richardson
It’s a routine change as Pat Cummins returns in place of Michael Neser. Jhye Richardson is a little bit unfit to play in Melbourne and therefore one to come in the side. Team Australia decides to include debutant Scott Boland. He is the local boy and knows the MCG pitch very well.
To Conclude
As the Boxing Day contest of the AUS vs ENG 3rd Test starts tomorrow, England need to capitalize Australia’s average performance at Melbourne Cricket Ground in recent times. But it’s really hard to break the defence of a team which is already 2-0 up in the series. If England can grab the very little opportunity at slip cordon, things may change. It’s a balanced wicket at MCG, enough runs on the turf and therefore an easy decision to bat first.
Playing XI: AUS vs ENG 3rd Test, England tour of Australia 2021/22
Australia (Declared): Marcus Harris, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Pat Cummins and Michell Starc.
England (Declared): Haseeb Hameed, Jack Crawley, Dawid Malan, Joe Root, Johnny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood, Jack Leach and James Anderson.