Welcome to chaos

Preview - Fourth Ashes Test, Headlingley
Starts 11.00am (Sky Sports 1, BBC Radio 4LW and 5 Live Sports Extra)

Chris O'Keefe

England woke up this morning, knowing they had one selection dilemma with Andrew Flintoff's fitness. However, a game of football on a damp outfield offered England another and suddenly a gaping hole looked visible in the middle order.

Matt Prior officially suffered a back spasm, and was only passed fit around 30 minutes before play was due to start. A late fitness test ensued and suddenly pictures of Paul Collingwood trying out the gloves and calls for a player being named whilst needing to make a flight to Leeds were circulating. Quite simply pandemonium!

However, whilst Prior was passed fit there was the occasional grimace from the England wicket-keeper when both taking catches and batting in the nets. This may have lead to last minute changes in batting line up with Jonathan Trott added, but not so. The one change was expected to be Steve Harmison for Andrew Flintoff and so it proved.

Andrew Strauss won the toss and decided to bat but his side includes Alastair Cook with issues outside his off-stump, Ravi Bopara out of form, the returning Ian Bell and a wicket-keeper batsman with a dodgy back. That said, Australia had their own issues. Two changes made to their side as Brad Haddin returns with the gloves and Stuart Clark replaces Nathan Hauritz meaning no first choice-spinner on a relatively dry pitch. Michael Clarke was deemed fit after an abdominal strain this week.

So plenty of interesting side stories, any of which could make an impact upon this test match.

England looking to forge winning position

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston (Day 4 of 5)

Australia 263 & 88-2 v England 376

Chris O'Keefe



England, with help from their middle and lower order, managed to achieve a significant first innings lead of 113 and then managed to take two Australian wickets in their search for an unlikely victory at Edgbaston.

Andrew Flintoff was the star attraction scoring 74 off 79 deliveries to push the scoring rate along. When he came to the crease with Matt Prior England were 168-5. The pair scored 89 in quick time and were ably assisted by Stuart Broad who also made a half-century. Broad in particular, enjoy going nose-to-nose with a somewhat resurgent Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson was putting the ball in better areas in this innings, possibly the first time on this tour, and was following it up with plenty of verbal for his adversaries. The crowd continued to revel in any loose bowling on his part, perhaps part of his inspiration.

However, by the time Broad was dismissed, the damage was done. The young all-rounder had played some magnificent shots, not of a tail-ender but a top quality batsmen. It may end up being his saving grace because his bowling hasn't been to the standard of what England surely expect. With Headingley around the corner, some observers were discussing recalling Steve Harmison at his expense.

Australia started well with the bat as openers Simon Katich and Shane Watson put on 47 for the first wicket. However, Katich was caught driving a full delivery from Graham Onions by Prior. Ricky Ponting only lasted seven balls before being beaten by a sumptuous delivery by Graeme Swann that turned and rattled Ponting's middle stump.



It took a resilient partnership from Shane Watson and Mike Hussey to see Australia to stumps with eight wickets still in tact. Hussey was nearly dismissed on a King pair by Onions as he played the ball in the air but tantalisingly out of the bowlers reach.

Andrew Strauss will hope that England can take the remaining wickets and leave themselves time to chase. With 98 overs to be bowled tomorrow, the question for Australia will be how much time can they can take out of the game. Flintoff himself admitted that if Australia can see out the first session with plenty of wickets in hand, they should be able to save the game.

Picture: BBC Sport Online

Watch Flintoff's press conference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/8180695.stm

What a difference a day makes!

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston (Day 2 of 5)

England 116-2 v Australia 263 (Stumps)

Chris O'Keefe

It seemed set for Australia on the second morning as Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting went out to bat. Graham Onions was asked to bowl the first over of the morning having gone at seven runs per over the previous evening. Then Onions ran up to bowl!

First ball, he trapped Watson in front - out lbw - and the Edgbaston crowd roared their approval. The perfect start, that was until Mike Hussey gift wrapped something better. The left-hander didn't play to a straight ball that took out clipped his off stump leaving Hussey looking stupid. Onions smiling and the Edgbaston shouting "Cheerio" to a man leaving a tail between his legs.

Although Onions failed to get a hat-trick he had already set in motion an England bowling display so different from the first days anti-climax. When the Durham paceman removed Ponting with a short ball edged to Matt Prior Australia were 163-4 and their good work undone.

So if Australia hoped for an escape from the morning torture, James Anderson's swing bowling masterclass confirmed their fate. The Lancastrian worked over the middle and lower order, first removing Clarke with a questionable lbw decision and then removing Marcus North. Matt Prior took a superb catch, one handed, in front of Andrew Strauss as England reached the Australian tail and started to eat away instantly.

Mitchell Johnson failed to play a shot to a ball that swung in from Anderson. It looked out, but replays show the ball going over the top. Graham Manou was dismissed on the stroke of lunch to give Anderson his fourth wicket of the morning. England had taken 7 for 77 and were left with only the tail-enders to mop up.

Australia tail-enders managed to score 60 after lunch before being bowled and Anderson claimed a fifth wicket and Onions a fourth. Then set about making inroads into the hosts batting. The breakthrough came in the second over. The problem for the new ball pair of Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus was that they couldn't swing the ball like Anderson and Onions!

However, they did remove opener Alastair Cook - a first Test catch for Manou off Siddle - for a duck but that was as good as it got. Andrew Strauss and Ravi Bopara shared a 50 partnership to see England to tea at 56-1. Then Bopara threw away his wicket with a loose shot to be bowled by Hilfenhaus. Once again though, England this time with Bell to partner Strauss played comfortably as Australia toiled. Only the light saved Australia from more punishment as the hosts closed just 146 behind the Australians.

Onions later said England's patience was key to the change in fortunes adding, "We were probably impatient on Thursday, but today we showed patience, put the ball in right areas and we were rewarded."

The tourists captain Ricky Ponting was optimistic about his side's fortunes despite events on Day Two suggesting that England couldn't swing the ball until around over 35, which is where his side are up to with the ball.

Ponting who became the highest scoring Australian in Test Cricket said: "Hopefully we can keep working on it and get a little cloud cover tomorrow and have a similar morning as England did today."

Image: BBC Sport Online

No twittering as Watson opens strongly

Third Ashes Test, Edgbaston (Day 1), Stumps.

England v Australia 126-1.

Chris O'Keefe

Shane Watson justified his selection to replace Philip Hughes at the top of the Australian batting order with a strong opening session and 62 not out in his first Ashes Test match whilst England's bowlers toiled.

The only success for the hosts came gift wrapped thanks to Simon Katich attempting a wild pull shot in the circumstances before being trapped lbw after a promising 46 off just 48 balls. Indeed Watson was lucky to fall to Graeme Swann in the same over but umpire Aleem Dar gave him a reprieve.

Other than that England's bowlers toiled. Andrew Flintoff bowled a shorter length than his fruitful spell at Lord's. James Anderson struggled to find any swing and the first change bowlers of Stuart Broad and Graham Onions were immediately dealt with by the Australians. Graeme Swann later admitted that England had bowled poorly

"The pitch was fairly slow and flat, it's a pretty good Edgbaston wicket. Hopefully it will quicken up a bit on Friday but it looks a good Test match wicket."

Swann added: "Shane was under a lot of pressure but he played really well and we'll have to come up with something different for him on Friday."

Watson hardly played a loose stroke during his innings which included 10 fours as he and Katich scored at over four runs per over. Andrew Flintoff tried to unsettle him with a bouncer and a stare, Watson merely smiled back and continued to construct a promising innings. Ironic that many thought Watson opening was a gamble and might not work. Whilst it is tough luck on Philip Hughes, Watson looked comfortable against the new ball, admittedly on a fairly feather bed surface but assured nevertheless.

Meanwhile England need to at least find an economical line and length and build up pressure. Remember that word? Yes, the buzz word that England players were attributing to their strong bowling performance at Lord's, certainly absent her but fortunately Australia only had two hours to punish that absence.

Australia will hope the pitch stays good for batting, including debutant Graham Manou who was drafted into the side at the 11th hour after Brad Haddin broke a finger. England captain Andrew Strauss was gracious enough to allow the change after his counterpart Ricky Ponting scurried around after the toss with Haddin still on the team sheet.

Manou will most likely play in this Test and the next at Headingley next week and possibly at the Oval in three weeks. He will hope his side make his baptism fairly painless and that includes Mitchell Johnson's line and length. For now he can put up his feet and watch Watson look to make his maiden Test century.

Image: BBC Sport Online

Graeme Swann's press conference http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/8177524.stm

Flintoff ends England's 75-year wait at Lord's

Second Ashes Test, Lord's (Day 5)

England 425 & 311-6 dec. beat Australia 215 & 406 by 115 runs

Chris O'Keefe

Andrew Flintoff produced a spell of hostile bowling that helped England beat Australia at Lord's in a test-match for the first time since 1934, which puts England 1-0 ahead in the five match series with three tests to play.

Flintoff returned only his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket and his first since the 2005 Ashes Test at The Oval. Amongst his victims was wicketkeeper Brad Haddin who scored 80 in a partnership of 185 with Michael Clarke that gave Australia a fighting chance of winning the game on the final day.

Clarke himself fell to a wonderfully flighted delivery from Graeme Swann for 136 as the last hope of a miracle for Ricky Ponting's men seemed to have ended. Swann finished with figures of 4-87 in a promising second innings display.

Set 522 to win the Test, what would have been the highest successful chase in Test Cricket, Australia suffered the worst possible start losing both openers early in the innings although replays suggest they were both unlucky. Simon Katich, was caught by Kevin Pietersen at Gully driving to a Flintoff delivery which should have been a no-ball for over stepping the crease.

Phillip Hughes who has struggled for runs in the series in the face of largely short bowling from England, edged one to Andrew Strauss at slip. Hughes stayed in his crease only for umpire Billy Doctrove to say the ball had carried to slip. The replay suggested it was taken on the bounce by Strauss.

More controversy surrounded Mike Hussey's dismissal as question arose about whether Hussey actually hit the ball or not - caught at slip by Paul Collingwood - but Hussey looked out of nick at the crease.

After Haddin and Clarke were dismissed, the end seemed inevitable despite a courageous knock from Mitchell Johnson scoring 63 off just 75 balls, although his bowling figures will be what concern the Australian coaching staff and selectors most as they look for a strike bowler to cause England problems.

England will now look forward to the Third Test at Edgbaston a week on Thursday, but with doubts over the fitness of at least three of their winning team. Kevin Pietersen is still suffering from an Achilles injury that has hampered his performance in both tests. Flintoff is suffering from a knee problem throughout both tests so far and is likely to rest right up to the Third Test. Graham Onions was lightly bowled by Andrew Strauss in the second innings but will have nine days to recover.

The more likely changes are to the Australian line up with Brett Lee likely to be fit enough for selection after missing the first two tests. Stuart Clark may also be considered after a bowling display that seemingly lacked control, particularly from Mitchell Johnson who sprayed the ball around with plenty of punishment from England's batsmen.

Flintoff finds form and Pavillion roof

Twenty20 Cup - North Division

The County Ground, Derby
Lancashire 220-5 beat Derbyshire 164-7 by 56 runs

Chris O'Keefe

Andrew Flintoff starred with bat and ball as Lancashire qualified for the final stages of the Twenty20 Cup with an emphatic win at Derby as the Ashes loom large.

Flintoff scored 93 off just 41 balls, including six sixes, as Lancashire posted a massive total and maintaining a high run rate throughout their 20 overs. The Lancashire all-rounder also took 2-32 from his four overs with the ball as Derbyshire struggled to get anywhere near the required run rate. Flintoff, ably supported by an excellent performance from VVS Laxman (63 off 45 balls) was playing with great freedom and with none of the Derbyshire bowlers able to get any sort of control or economy.

Earlier in the day, Flintoff was named in an England side to face Warwickshire at Edgbaston in a three-day game beginning July 1st. England also named two spinners in the form of Monty Panesar and Greame Swann. It would appear almost certain that England would look to play two spinners in the first test in Cardiff given most observers see a pitch that will turn. The rest of the team for the Warwickshire game was fairly predictable with Bopara batting at three and no place for Ryan Sidebottom as they give their spinners a run out.

Adil Rashid, tipped by Shane Warne to play in this Ashes series, will play against Australia for the England Lions at Worcester in a four-day game (July 1-4). Amongst those selected for the Lions are Ian Bell and Steve Harmison who have fallen out of favour with the selectors of the test team. Recently capped Durham paceman Graham Onions also features.

The Ashes begins in Cardiff on July 8.

England team v Warwickshire at Edgbaston (1-3 July):
Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Ravi Bopara, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior (wk), Graeme Swann.

England Lions v Australia at Worcester (1-4 July):
Ian Bell (captain) (Warwickshire), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Joe Denly (Kent), Steven Davies (wk) (Worcestershire), Stephen Harmison (Durham), Sajid Mahmood (Lancashire), Stephen Moore (Worcestershire), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Graham Onions (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Vikram Solanki (Worcestershire).

England need spin, swing and erosion

Fifth Test, Port of Spain, Trinidad,
Day Two (Close): England 546/6 dec. v West Indies 92/1

Chris O'Keefe

England are hoping it is third time lucky in their quest for 20 West Indian wickets to win the final test and square the series after scoring an imposing total on a dry, fairly benign pitch.

They started the day with Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood at the wicket looking to build a strong total. However, Strauss fell in the third over of play to Fidel Edwards, bowled around his legs.

Owais Shah resumed his innings only to continue to show poor running between the wickets. Shah was run out by sub fielder Dwayne Bravo trying an impossible single. He will have done little to cement a place in the England batting line up ahead of this summer. It remains a position for contention.

However, Matt Prior, restored to the England team after leaving the tour to see his new born son back home, came in with purpose and added 218 with Paul Collingwood for the fifth wicket as England chased the early declaration. The West Indies didn't seem too interested in competing, merely playing for time as part time bowlers like Brendan Nash bowled more than their fair share of overs.

Both Prior and Collingwood made comfortable centuries at ease. By the time of Collingwood's dismissal, it was a case when, not whether England could make the declaration. It came after tea, allowing England 19 overs to claim West Indies wickets.

England were certainly not helped by their opening bowlers, Stuart Broad and James Anderson, as well as debutant Amjad Khan who were expensive as openers Chris Gayle and Devon Smith were enjoying their time in the middle. England needed to turn to spin and fortunately they decided on two full time spinners for this assignment, the problem is that one of those, Monty Panesar, was out of form.

His first over started auspiciously as he seemed to lack potency. The irony was the ball that dismissed Smith was one that didn't spin. Panesar clearly needs variety and variation. In the mean time he will need to take inexplicable play and misses like that of Smith's.

Be in no doubt England need to bowl far better than their showing on this evening, otherwise its a defeat in a test series against a team with part time bowlers doing the lion share of the work. OK, perhaps a tad harsh, but a negative result will do nothing in the build up to an Ashes series this summer.