England vs Australia: England put their faith in ageing attack for must-win Ashes Test | Cricket News – Times of India

Despite managing only three wickets in the previous matches, Anderson is expected to be a vital part of England’s pace attack.This Ashes Test will witness the oldest pace attack since 1928, as both teams will field four seamers aged 33 or above. Alongside Anderson, Stuart Broad (37), Chris Woakes (34), and the express fast bowler Mark Wood (33) form England’s quartet of seam bowlers.
Part of the England bowling lineup will also be the seasoned all-rounder Moeen Ali.
“I was always told that old was gold,” the 36-year-old Moeen said Monday. “But it’s not just old, it’s Jimmy, it’s Broady, Woakesy, Woody — they’re really good bowlers. Myself…you never know what you’re going to get, but with those guys, you definitely know how good they are.”
Just a few weeks ago, Moeen had announced his retirement from Test cricket. However, due to an injury to frontline spinner Jack Leach, Moeen was called back to the squad.

With Ollie Pope unable to play due to a dislocated shoulder, Moeen has found himself in the crucial position of number three, while star batsman Joe Root has chosen to bat at number four. Young talent Harry Brook played a decisive innings of 75 at number five during the Headingley Test.
In the second innings at Headingley, Moeen could only manage a score of five while batting at number three. However, England have decided to keep him in that spot, despite some suggestions for either captain Ben Stokes or wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who has faced challenges with both his batting and wicketkeeping in this series, to move up the order.
It has been almost seven years since Moeen, who has batted in every position from one to nine in his 66-Test career, scored a Test century.
“If I’m playing well and I get in, I have made Test hundreds before and it’s not like I can’t do it,” said Moeen, who added: “But things happen for a reason…I’m a big one on faith and destiny.”
As Australia aim to secure their first Ashes series win in England since 2001, the Pat Cummins-led Test champions are yet to finalize their playing XI.
Experienced opener David Warner failed twice at Headingley, falling to Stuart Broad, who has dismissed him 17 times in Test cricket.

The trio of Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, who are key figures in the middle order, have managed just one century and one half-century in a combined total of 18 innings.
Mitchell Marsh made an impressive comeback in his first Test since 2019, scoring a fine hundred at Headingley while replacing the injured Cameron Green, who is now fit. Australia must decide whether to include both all-rounders in the team.
Josh Hazlewood is expected to return after Scott Boland remained wicketless at Headingley.
Old Trafford has been a stronghold for England, with 13 wins in their last 16 Tests at the venue, having lost only once. However, that lone defeat came against Australia four years ago. The last time England celebrated an Ashes victory at this Manchester ground was in 1981 when Ian Botham played a memorable innings.

The 2019 Ashes series serves as a reminder to England, as the jubilation of their triumph at Headingley was followed by a defeat at Old Trafford, where Hazlewood’s six-wicket haul played a significant role.
“I’m hugely excited, I’ve got fond memories of the last time here in 2019 so it’s good to be back,” Hazlewood said.
“Obviously I sat the last game out, but I feel better for it. It was probably the right call. Now I can sit back and look at the big picture. I was desperate to play, but now it makes sense.
“Hopefully, after that little break, I’ll come out firing again.”
(With agency inputs)