Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

Ashes 2019: England v Australia 3rd Test Preview Dream11. ENG vs AUS 3rd Test Preview Dream11 Prediction 22 August 2019

Ashes 2019, like the great series in 2005, has thrown up a major curve ball. On that dreaded morning for Australia in Edgbaston, where Glenn McGrath rolled his ankle in the warmup, England had an opening. Like 2005, Australia’s key weapon has been ruled out of a crucial Test, but this time it is with significant relief that it is concussion and nothing worse after Steve Smith was hit on the neck by a brutal Jofra Archer bouncer.

So, the stage has been set for a potentially cracking Headingley Test. England, despite not winning at Lord’s, won a number of mental battles against an Australian lineup that has relied on Smith in this series to date. The introduction of Jofra Archer has added another dimension, and he is on the lips and minds of all associated with Australian cricket. Will England ramp up the pressure on Australia’s batting and level the series 1-1?

Australia’s batting without Steve Smith has painted a sorry picture in this series to date. Smith has scored an incredible 378 runs in three innings, 243 more than Australia’s next best, Travis Head. In Smith’s three innings, he has scored nearly 40% of Australia’s runs, often combining with the middle-lower order to rescue the side out of trouble. With Smith out, Australia’s fragile batting needs to stand up against an England attack waiting to pounce, which could make for a great battle – the kind we saw at Lord’s.

Also read: The Lord’s boo-crew deserves a special mention. 2nd Test Player Ratings!

Key to an England win

While England start this Test as favourites, it is not to say they aren’t without their own concerns. Jason Roy’s initiation to Test Cricket has not been a kind one. Skipper Joe Root has not yet had the impact expected of him, and Joe Denly is yet to make the number four spot his own. All this is credit to Rory Burns, who, despite a number of chances spurned by Australia, has batted for a total of 524 balls in this series to date. If England’s top four can deliver a strong platform, England will be held in good stead, given the form of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s.

This then leads to England’s strength – their bowling attack. Led by the threat of Jofra Archer and experience of Stuart Broad, England threatened right throughout the Lord’s Test, left to rue the rain that washed out a significant portion of it. With Australia’s best batsman out, it is vital England don’t relax, remaining relentless against a lineup that was shown up by concussion substitute Marnus Labuschagne. Will England continue to keep David Warner quiet? Will the short ball threat be too much for Usman Khawaja? If the answer is yes to both these questions, Australia’s middle order may have a task too big to handle.

Key to an Australia win

David Warner is yet to hit double figures in any of his four innings so far. It is sorry reading for an experienced player, who will likely get another chance to step up in the absence of Smith. Marcus Harris could partner him this time, and after Harris faced a baptism of fire against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah in the Australian summer, he will have to overcome another here with Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes all in good touch. So much rests on the openers, of whom Australia have received such little output from this series, which can make life easier for Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head to build a good score.

However, even with their best batsman out, not all is lost for Australia. Their bowlers have made inroads into England’s top order in the two Tests to date, with poor decision making and execution letting them down at times at Lord’s. It was a bouncer barrage in the nets in the lead up to this Test, with Mitchell Starc particularly fired up, which can make him a good option as England look to intimidate with the ball themselves. The makeup of Australia’s pace attack remains to be seen, but relentless accuracy, coupled with taking chances in the field can keep Australia in with a shout as they need to put England’s middle order under pressure.

Pitch and conditions

Headingley, unlike Lord’s, has a positive-looking forecast for most of the Test. The only threat of rain is on the first day, with a chance of scattered showers. A look at the pitch from a distance suggests it is a bat-first track, with the possibility of drying up further throughout the Test.

Possible Playing 11

There are rumours Sam Curran could come in for Chris Woakes, who is due a rest. Provided Woakes is picked, England should stick with the same XI that played at Lord’s, after James Anderson was ruled out of this Test. Jason Roy has been cleared after getting struck on the neck in the nets.

England: 1. Jason Roy, 2. Rory Burns, 3. Joe Root (c), 4. Joe Denly, 5. Jos Buttler, 6. Ben Stokes, 7. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 8. Chris Woakes, 9. Jofra Archer, 10. Stuart Broad, 11. Jack Leach

Also read:The Lord’s boo-crew deserves a special mention. 2nd Test Player Ratings!

Tim Paine hinted at changes in the batting after the top order continued to struggle. Cameron Bancroft is a chance of missing out for Marcus Harris. Also, Marnus Labuschagne, despite getting hit on the helmet in the nets, is set to replace Smith at four. In terms of the bowling, Australia are likely to rotate again, with at least one of James Pattinson or Mitchell Starc to play.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Marcus Harris, 3. Usman Khawaja, 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Travis Head, 6. Matthew Wade, 7. Tim Paine (wk), 8. Pat Cummins, 9. James Pattinson/Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• The last Ashes Test at Headingley was in 2009. Australia won by an innings and 80 runs.
• Steve Smith has scored nearly 40% of Australia’s runs in the three innings he has batted in Ashes 2019.
• England haven’t won an Ashes Test since August 8, 2015 (eight Tests).

Match Prediction

Steve Smith has carried Australia’s batting so far in Ashes 2019. His absence leaves such a huge hole that Australia might struggle to fill. Heart says Australia will fight hard, but England will win.

Thanks for reading!

Also read:The Lord’s boo-crew deserves a special mention. 2nd Test Player Ratings!