Old Trafford Pitch Report | Will The 4th Test Be A Run-feat In Ashes 2023?
Ashes 2023 has been a riveting series thus far (AP Photo)
A riveting Ashes series moves to Old Trafford in Manchester this coming week as England and Australia do battle in the fourth Test starting Wednesday, July 19. The two teams head into the game evenly matched, with Australia holding a crucial 2-1 lead on the back of narrow victories in the first two Tests at Edgbaston and Lords respectively; while England have momentum on their side, having secured victory in the third Test at Leeds.
The home side know that anything short of victory in the final two Tests will result in Australia retaining the Ashes, which will no doubt inform their game plan in Manchester.
Old Trafford, Manchester pitch report for fourth Test, Ashes 2023
Old Trafford is traditionally a bat-first wicket, with the quick conditions allowing the ball to come onto the bat well. As such, teams winning the toss usually choose to bat first, and teams batting first have secured victory in 32 of the 84 matches that have been played at the venue. The average first innings score on this pitch is 332, which drops to 270 in the second.
However, the pitch has been known to offer something for the spinners in the third and fourth innings after footmarks develop. As such, there is a sharp drop in the average third innings score (225) and fourth innings score (168) as compared to the first two innings, with batters struggling to contend with spin. With rain forecast for the first day and overcast conditions likely throughout the game, it could also reward also patient and consistent fast bowling.
As such, it is widely expected that England will be making only one change from the side that secured victory in the third Test match. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson is likely to make way for James Anderson, who sat out the previous Test, in a straight swap. Although Robinson has declared that he has fully recovered from the back spasms that affected him in the previous game, Anderson’s extensive knowledge of the conditions as a Lancashire local will surely suit England.
In the other camp, Australia have two major selection issues, namely their all-rounder slot and one of their three pace bowlers. With captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who performed admirably in Leeds, likely to retain their place in the side, there will be a toss-up between Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood for the position of the third seamer in the attack. Further up the order, the Australians have a choice between the returning Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh, who made the most of his unexpected opportunity in the third Test by slamming a run-a-ball century in the first innings.
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