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Three changes England should make in fourth Test after Ben Stokes rescues Ashes


Ben Stokes rescued the Ashes for England at Headingley (Picture: Getty)

Somehow, England are back in the Ashes.

After being bowled out for just 67 in the first innings at Headingley, it appeared inevitable that England would slip to their second defeat of the series, handing the urn to Australia for another two years.

But Ben Stokes had other ideas.

Hitting a match-winning and Ashes-saving century, which has been described as the greatest Test innings in history, Stokes steered England to a remarkable one-wicket victory, leaving the series finely poised at 1-1 with two matches remaining.

It’s all to play for as the series heads to Old Trafford for the fourth Test – and here we look at the changes England should make as they attempt to inflict more misery on Ashes holders Australia.

Pope for Roy

England have never managed to fill the void left by Andrew Strauss’ retirement seven years ago, and they suddenly needed to find two suitable openers after Alastair Cook hung up his boots last summer.

In Rory Burns, England appear to have stumbled upon a player. After a scratchy start to his international career, the Surrey man hit a century in the first Ashes Test and a fifty in the next match at Lord’s.

Do it against this Australia attack, when the stakes are this high, and you can do it against anyone. His technique, however unpleasant, is solid and by all accounts he is one of the most determined players on the circuit.

Put simply: there is no reason why Burns cannot enjoy a long and fruitful Test career.

But Burns may be accompanied by a new opening partner at Old Trafford, with Jason Roy enduring a dismal spell at the top of the order. A quite brilliant one-day player, Roy has thus far failed to show the technique that is required to succeed in Test cricket.

Jason Roy has endured a barren run at the top of the order (Picture: Getty)

That is no slight at Roy. Any number of players have come unstuck at Test level, and he has been up against a fantastic Australian bowling attack.

It would also hardly be a disaster if Roy was to be dropped. Yes, he rearranged his schedule this year and declined to enter the IPL auction in order to force his way into England’s Test team, but the future remains insanely bright for this World Cup champion.

White-ball tours to New Zealand and South Africa, two T20 World Cups, multiple franchise deals and a reassuring stint back at Surrey are all on the horizon for Roy.

England may be tempted to swap Roy with another opener in the form of Dominic Sibley, but Surrey’s in-form Ollie Pope may be a safer bet.



Willis on Pope for Roy

‘The Roy experiment hasn’t worked.

‘Some people would say give him a chance in the middle order but I think his confidence is shot at the moment, so I would replace him with Pope, who’s in terrific form and has had a taste of Test match cricket as well.

‘Denly would obviously have to go up and open which is quite tough on him. He’s obviously got problems with the short ball, as have many of the England players.

‘They’re not used to seeing it in the County Championship. I would have Burns and Denly opening the batting, with Pope slotting in at No 6 in the order after Joe Root, Stokes and Jonny Bairstow and then Jos Buttler at No 7 just about retaining his place.’ 

The 21-year-old showed glimpses of his talent in two Tests against India last summer and, crucially, would come into the side in brilliant form, having scored his second first-class double century just last week.

Pope could bolster England’s middle order, with Joe Denly potentially moving up to open. Denly probably saved his Test career with a resolute half-century in Headingley and, though his Ashes contributions have been limited, has made starts in every innings.

The 33-year-old also has extensive experience in the position, having opened for Kent for a number of years – and for England over a decade ago. A short-term solution, yes, but England are not exactly blessed with options at the top of the order.

Anderson for Woakes

If passed fit, James Anderson has to play. He’s not England’s record wicket-taker and the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket for no reason.

Many tipped Anderson to enjoy one of his most prolific Ashes series this summer, with the ECB ordering a new batch of Dukes balls more helpful to seam bowling and Australia possessing a fragile batting line-up.

A calf injury – just four overs into the first Test – put paid to that. Over the past three weeks Anderson has worked tirelessly to regain his fitness, often undertaking personal training sessions at the Test venues and turning out for Lancashire’s second XI twice.

James Anderson looks set to return to the side (Picture: Getty)



Harmison on Anderson for Woakes

‘I think Anderson for Woakes is probably the most likely (change), given how much has gone through Chris Woakes’ body.

‘I know there have been a few niggling injury problems over the winter and through the World Cup so I think the logical thing would be to bring Jimmy back in and give Woakes a break and have Woakes firing and ready to come back in for the Oval.’ 

Anderson has said he is hopeful of being fully fit for the fourth Test, which starts at his home ground of Old Trafford on September 4, and England will be boosted by the presence of the legendary bowler.

If fit, the only question is who does Anderson replace? Stuart Broad has delivered in all three Tests, and raises his game in Ashes contests as well as anyone, and Jofra Archer is simply extraordinary. So, however harsh, Chris Woakes will likely make way.

A genuinely world-class all-rounder, Woakes offers this England team so much with bat and ball but has not been at his best in the previous three matches.

And that’s hardly surprising, given the fact he played in all 11 of England’s World Cup games and all four of the Tests since. He’s probably physically and mentally drained.

Take a few weeks off, go watch the Villa and come back refreshed. He’ll be all the better for it.

Give Buttler the gloves

Talking of fatigue, let’s look at Jonny Bairstow, another player who has had an uninterrupted run in the England team since the start of the World Cup.

Now Bairstow is one of the fittest players in the game, but that kind of run surely takes its toll, and maybe that was evident at Headingley.

The Yorkshireman did not make any howlers on his home ground – he rarely does – but a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes crept in, most notably when he put down Marnus Labuschagne in the second innings.

England could give Jos Buttler the gloves (Picture: Getty)

Jos Buttler is not bulletproof with the gloves, particularly standing up to the stumps, but he’s certainly not a downgrade on Bairstow, playing 16 of his 34 Tests as a ‘keeper.

With a top score of 31 and an average of under ten, Buttler has barely played a part in the series. England need to get him more involved, and handing him the gloves may indirectly improve his returns with the bat.

Bairstow has been reluctant to give up the gloves and would not take the change well. However, if England believe he is feeling the effects of a long and taxing summer, it would be a wise move.



How England could line up in fourth Test

Rory Burns

Joe Denly

Joe Root (c)

Ollie Pope

Ben Stokes

Jonny Bairstow

Jos Buttler (wk)

Jofra Archer

Stuart Broad

Jack Leach

James Anderson





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