Jonathan Trott – averaging 99.75 in championship cricket this season for Warwickshire – was pulled from the hat as batting cover for Andrew Flintoff should the all-rounder be unfit for Headingley on Friday
Ashes 09
Haigh: Will it go down to The Wire?
Twenty-five days: it seems long enough to decide anything once and for all, except perhaps peace in the Middle East and who is one’s favourite character in The Wire. But after 15 days, the Ashes still seems almost impossibly tight, while also susceptible to even minor influences.
Greg Matthews: Australia has everything to play for
There have only been two instances of teams trailing after three Tests and retaining the Ashes. They were in 1936-37 and 1965-66. That’s a big stat to get over and Australia are still up against it enormously.
Football is an unwanted blot on a magnificent summer of sport
When the three lower divisions kick off this weekend, England’s cricketers will be engaged in the fourth Test of a good series against Australia. A series against Australia used to be a summer in itself.
The Barmy Army debate: England’s loutish fans
Two Test greats, Angus Fraser and Matthew Hayden, give the players’ perspective from both sides of the Ashes divide.
Aussies more English than the English
The 2009 Aussies have not just been a pale shadow of their brilliant predecessors - they’re so pale, they have a distinctly Pommie tinge
England hope poster boys will build a lasting image
The faces of Ravi Bopara, Andrew Strauss, James Anderson and Stuart Broad will gaze down on the fourth Test at Headingley like the visages of Mount Rushmore, depicted on a huge advertising banner that dominates the Kirkstall Lane End of the ground.
Sky’s speed guns fall in
We’d say they gave readings about 3mph more than other cricket speed guns. That’s based on years of watching Andrew Flintoff and James Anderson and pretty much knowing their bowling speeds by now.
Ashes 09: England only win when they’re swingin’
Australia still can’t play swing bowling. England can’t take wickets without it. Jarrod Kimber looks back at the Third Test.
Edgbaston, Day Five: Clarke and England’s poor bowling ensure draw
England need swing to win another Test, Australia need Mitchell Johnson to win one. Jarrod Kimber weighs in after Australia secures a draw after Day Five at Edgbaston.
Shane Warne: I predict changes at Headingley
I think that both sides will be looking at their bowling attacks before Headingley, writes Shane Warne.
Michael Clarke: Australia’s new working-class hero
Michael Clarke, the flashy millionaire who grew up playing all the shots, fine-tuned his working-class values to secure a relieving draw for Australia.
An interview with Ricky Ponting
Australia captain Ricky Ponting told the BBC his side can take much encouragement from how they finished the drawn third Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston.
England bowlers lack killer instinct
It is clear that Andrew Strauss’s attack need the right conditions to put Australia’s batsmen under pressure
Edgbaston: it’s the crowd
Cardiff and Lord’s hosted great Test matches, but the Ashes has really got going at Edgbaston. It’s the crowd.
Edgbaston, Day Four: Proper, angry Test cricket
It was just what this series needed. None of this pretend press conference anger. Real male posturing. Swearing, sledging, sending off, and desperation, writes Jarrod Kimber.
England siezes control
With the taste of victory spurring them on, England began to seize control in third Test at Edgbaston.
Ashes 09: Hughes’ Twitter drop — Gen Y meets the Baggy Green
Phil Hughes performed a cricketing first today, becoming the first Test cricketer to ever announce on Twitter that he had been dropped — before the Australian team had announced he was.
Edgbaston, Day One: Watson opens up
Australia took the biggest risk they have taken since Cameron White was convinced to bowl in India, and stuck a guy with a horrendously horrible first class record into the opening slot. The result was Australia’s best opening partnership of the Ashes.
PODCAST: Crikey Sports previews the Third Test (a day late)
Crikey’s Leigh Josey talks to our Ashes correspondent Jarrod Kimber after the First Day of the Third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Rain, Shane Watson and Twitter vs. Phillip Hughes are all on the menu.
Ashes 09: Edgbaston, the Third Test preview
At one of the venues for the Domestic Twenty20 quarter finals today they could have set up a toddlers pool at long on, and long off, and part of midwicket. Tomorrow’s whether at Edgbaston is not supposed be any better.
Ashes 09: Edgbaston faces First Day wash out
Several members of Edgbaston’s groundstaff will work on the water-logged outfield through the night, but have privately conceded there is little chance of play on Thursday.
Australia have lost their aura
Times Deputy Cricket Correspondent assesses the mood in the camps before the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston. He talks to Ben Smith.
Will Edgbaston be denied a result by rain?
Between them, Kevin Pietersen’s injured fetlock and a July damp even by local standards have removed some of the anticipation from the Birmingham Test match, writes Peter Roebuck.
An interview with Michael Clarke
Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke told Grandstand’s Jim Maxwell the make-up of the bowling attack is undoubtedly the most contentious issue facing selectors ahead of the third Ashes Test at Edgbaston.
