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